HI-EMA looking to make infrastructure improvements following tsunami warning gridlock
Solutions, such as more lanes to hep drivers head mauka, are being examined, so that in the event of a large-scale emergency, people can safely — and efficiently — evacuate.
Department of Emergency Management: Make sure you're prepared for future emergencies
'In other incidents where they're trying to return home and shelter, roadways could be contraflowed in one direction, heading to the west Oʻahu side,' said Don Aweau, the executive officer of the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency.
In addition to opening more methods of travel, the agency says keeping unnecessary traffic off the roads is also essential.
According to the agency, most evacuation zones can be exited by walking or biking the short distance it takes to get out of harm's way. In addition, vertical evacuation, such as going to the fourth floor or higher in a tall building, is safe to do.In addition to changes on the island, the agency is also looking to make digital changes for disaster preparedness.
They say that they will be working on improving computer server capacity for Hawaiʻi's disaster readiness website, which saw frequent interruptions during the warning period as people tried to get information.
Critical resources, such as evacuation maps, were not readily available to some users due to the increase in traffic.
Find more Hawaii, Oahu, Maui and Kauai news here
For future emergency situations, the state is continuing to encourage the public to have a disaster plan and craft that plan well in advance.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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