Get hurricane-ready

By Michael Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Or maybe it wasn't the winds that were howling.

"We had five dogs," said Lacad, 50. "When the fences went, they scattered. We found two of them in the canal nearby."

Thankfully, the windswept hounds were retrieved alive, but the memory of that day lingers, if ever so faintly, in the back of Lacad's mind.

This month marks the official start of the hurricane season in Hawai'i. From now through the end of November, residents are advised to be mindful of the weather and to prepare for the possibility of a hurricane or tropical storm.

It has been 22 years since Iwa devastated Kaua'i and the Wai'anae Coast, 12 since 'Iniki tore open those same wounds.

And while some Hawai'i residents have allowed themselves to become complacent, forecasters warn that it's just a matter of time before another major hurricane hits Hawai'i shores.

In a typical year, four to five tropical cyclones occur in the Central Pacific — one hurricane, two tropical storms and one or two tropical depressions, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service. The same is expected this season.

According to data from the NOAA's Climate Prediction Center, El Niño conditions should be neutral through July. Both Iwa and 'Iniki occurred during El Niño years.

This year, the agency's Central Pacific Hurricane Center — the Honolulu-based agency responsible for issuing warnings, watches, advisories and statements for all tropical cyclones in the Central Pacific — expects to be even better prepared to forecast hurricane conditions. The center has adopted a tool, the Interactive Forecast Preparation System/Graphical Editor, which produces higher-resolution forecasts.

To be sure, if the center has something to announce, Lacad will be listening.

"I try to be more aware at this time of year," said Lacad, who now lives downtown.

To that end, she and Julian White, 49, keep an ample supply of candles, a battery-operated radio and — just to be safe — a set of pet carriers ready to deploy should their four cats need to be evacuated.

"It's good to be prepared," she said.

However, a good many other O'ahu residents follow the wait-and-see philosophy of 54-year-old Dino Jones of Waipi'o Gentry.

Jones said he treats hurricane season like any other time of year. His home in Waipahu was spared significant damage during Iwa. He was living in Palisades when 'Iniki struck, and that residence held up fine as well.

"I was working at Cutter Ford when 'Iniki hit," he recalled. "Our boss kept us working even after the warning. We stayed open until the lights went out, then we drove to the bar across the street and let it ride for a couple of hours.

"It wasn't good," he admits with a not-so-guilty chuckle. "Wasn't good."

Ted Mizuno, 63, of Palolo Valley, said he used to be nonchalant about hurricane season — until Iniki toppled a tree onto his house, causing $15,000 worth of damage.

"It was big work cutting that thing up and getting rid of it," he said. "But the worst part was dealing with the insurance. We went back and forth for months."

These days, Mizuno and his wife, Dorothy, make a ritual of trimming their trees at the start of the hurricane season. Ted also keeps a supply of plywood (used to protect windows) in his shed, and every June or July he and Dorothy go to Costco to stock up on canned goods and other hurricane supplies.

"If we don't need it, it's no big thing," he said. "It's better to get it early instead of fighting the crowds when there's an emergency."

Reach Michael Tsai at mtsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2461.

What you should do to prepare for storm-related threats

Hurricane Triple Threat

• High waves and storm surge: Large ocean swell ahead of the hurricane may reach Island shores while the storm is several hundred miles away. As the hurricane nears, rapidly rising water levels from the wind-driven waves and storm surge will inundate coastal areas, erode beaches and pound and undermine waterfront structures and roadways.
• High winds: In Hawai'i, mountainous terrain accelerates hurricane and tropical storm winds, causing extremely high winds that can destroy buildings, structures, trees, vegetation and crops. Ridge tops and exposed locations downslope from the mountains are at greatest risk.
• Heavy rain and flash flooding: Heavy and prolonged rains can accompany all types of tropical cyclones. Even the weakest tropical depressions can bring torrential rains and flash flooding.

Source: Central Pacific Hurricane

Center Hurricane Prep 101

Prepare a personal evacuation plan:

• Identify ahead of time where you could go if told to evacuate. Choose several places — a friend's home in another town, a hotel or a shelter.
• Keep emergency phone numbers handy, as well as a road map. You may need to take alternative or unfamiliar routes if major roads are closed or clogged.
• Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for evacuation instructions. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
• Take these items with you when evacuating: prescription medications (10- to 14-day supply) and medical supplies; bedding and clothing, including sleeping bags and pillows; bottled water, battery-operated radio and extra batteries, first-aid kit, flashlight; car keys and maps; documents such as driver's license, Social Security card, proof of residence, insurance policies, wills, deeds, birth and marriage certificates, tax records.

Disaster kit

Assemble a disaster supply kit with the following items:

• First aid and essential medications.
• Canned food and can opener.
• At least three gallons of water per person.
• Protective clothing, rainwear and bedding or sleeping bags.
• Battery-powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries.
• Special items for infants, elderly or disabled family members.
• Written instructions on how to turn off electricity, gas and water if authorities advise you to do so. (You'll need a professional to turn them back on.)

Prepare for high winds

• Install hurricane shutters or purchase precut 1/2-inch outdoor plywood boards for each window of your home. Install anchors and predrill holes in the plywood so you can put up boards quickly.
• Make trees more wind-resistant by removing diseased and damaged limbs, then strategically removing branches so wind can blow through.

After a hurricane

• Keep listening to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for instructions.
• Return home when local officials tell you it is safe to do so.
• Inspect your home for damage.
• Use flashlights in the dark; do not use candles.

Source: American Red Cross