Posted on: Monday, November 15, 2004

High wind cuts power to 2,000 households

By Karen Blakeman
Advertiser Staff Writer

Wind gusting up to 40 mph whipped across O'ahu last night, downing tree limbs and knocking out electricity to more than 2,000 households.

"When we get wind like this, branches shake loose from trees and tend to connect with power lines," said Hawaiian Electric Co. spokesman Peter Rosegg.

In addition to HECO crews, police and fire personnel responded to many calls about arcing electrical wires and other wind-related problems. A downed tree blocked both lanes of O'ahu Avenue in Manoa at 9:39 p.m.

Electrical outages affecting more than 2,000 HECO customers were reported in Kaimuki, Mo'ili'ili and Makiki and the area surrounding Kalihi Valley, from Tripler Army Medical Center to the Wilson Tunnel, Rosegg said.

Tom Birchard, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said a high-pressure system to the north of the Islands brought the wind. Sustained winds were 25 mph, but gusts — particularly on the Honolulu side of the Ko'olau Range — reached up to 40 mph, chasing away the humidity.

The winds are expected to stay brisk and northeasterly through late Thursday, Birchard said.

The strong northeast winds also prompted the weather service to issue a high-surf advisory for all islands, with waves expected to reach 8 feet along east shores. A small-craft advisory was in effect.

Reach Karen Blakeman at kblakeman@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-2430.