Hawaii residents: Follow these storm preparedness tips
HONOLULU (KHON2) — The Hawaiian Islands face a triple threat of heavy rain, thunderstorms and snow as a 'potent' low-pressure system makes its way through.
Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news
Heavy weather conditions are expected from late Wednesday through early Friday with all islands on flash flood watch.
The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and the Hawaiian Humane Society urged residents and businesses to prioritize emergency preparedness and offered key tips.
Heavy rain, strong winds and possible thunderstorms starting late Wednesday
'Taking steps to prepare now can make all the difference in the aftermath of a disaster. Whether it's preparing your property, understanding your insurance, or protecting yourself from fraud, DCCA is here to help our community stay safe and recover quickly,' said DCCA Director Nadine Ando.
Create an emergency plan with clear evacuation routes. All family members and employees should familiarize themselves with the plan and practice regularly.
Ensure all doors and windows are reinforced, checking for potential vulnerabilities.
Keep water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, first-aid supplies, cash and other essentials on hand in an emergency kit.
Sign up for important service disruptions, outages and updates during emergencies with your utility provider (HECO, KIUC).
Invest in backup power sources to maintain operation during outages. Residents should also learn how to shut off utilities in case of a leak or other emergencies.
Homes and businesses should review their insurance policies to ensure they include common disaster-related risks. If you need assistance in understanding the claims process or have other insurance questions, visit the DCCA Insurance Division's website.
Homeowners should also take inventory of their property including important documents, photos and more to file an insurance claim, if needed.
Scammers see disasters as an opportunity to prey on vulnerable customers. DCCA said to be on the lookout for fake contractors, charity fraud and phishing emails or texts offering government assistance.
All suspicious activities can be reported to the DCCA's Regulated Industries Complaints Office.
Homeowners can look to FEMA and other government agencies for help with home repairs, temporary housing and disaster-related assistance.
For business owners looking for support, contact the U.S. Small Business Administration for low-interest disaster loans to bounce back from physical damage and economic losses.
Pet owners should also have a plan for their furry friends.
The Hawaiian Humane Society urges owners to create emergency preparedness kits that include a 14-day food and water supply.
Owners should also prepare a crate or carrier, leash and collar with your contact information, bedding, towels, toys and medications.
All emergency shelters on Oahu are pet-friendly. Pet Parents are urged to take their pets with them and not to leave them behind during emergencies.
Check out more news from around Hawaii
For more information, visit the DCCA and Hawaiian Humane Society's websites.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
What is an emergency alert?
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Cellphone users across the state received a test emergency alert, but the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency said that a live emergency alert went out to some users during the test, despite there not being an emergency. The test was initially sent out shortly after 11 a.m., and it appears that the test was not intended to be released to the public, but was meant for internal use. Honolulu introduces new emergency alert system This is not the first time an accidental emergency was declared, following the 2018 false ballistic missile warning. But with the prevalence of emergency alerts, it can be difficult to understand the different types of alerts and how they vary throughout the islands. According to the state, there are different regions for alerts, with each region consisting of multiple separate types of alerts. Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, Maui and Kauaʻi Counties each have their own alert system, with the state having their own system that alerts all residents. There are numerous alerts that can reach any of the islands, such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's weather alerts, which is helpful especially during hurricane season. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Alongside those alerts, the state can send out messages relation to their Earthquake Notification Service, Maile Amber Alert and more. While most county-specific alerts require a manual registration to receive them, many statewide alerts do not require registration and will automatically be sent to mobile devices in the area. For Honolulu, there are four different types of alerts that go out to mobile devices. The most broad of them is HNL Alert, which is a recently-debuted emergency system that the state describes as 'a one stop site for all city services. Where you can stay informed about traffic situations, beach/ocean alerts, weather advisories and more.' HNL Alerts can be sent to your mobile phone, as well as your email, allowing you to customize where is the best place to receive your information. The Department of Transportation also issues their own lane closure alerts for the island of Oʻahu. TheBus also sends alerts pertaining to issues regarding routes or services to those who utilize the transit service. While not necessarily an alert, the City and County of Honolulu also offers live traffic flow information with the help of traffic cameras, which can be used in tandem with traffic and emergency alerts to better plan your Hawaiʻi Island, there is a series of outdoor warning sirens, which can be found on the county's Civil Defense Agency's website. While not a mobile alert, the in-person alert can be just as helpful. Mobile emergency alerts, also through the Civil Defense Agency, can also be received to your phone or email. Those interested in staying in-the-know can sign up online for the alerts. The Hawaiʻi Police Department also issues alerts regarding public safety on their Nixle page, where residents may sign up to receive those alerts straight to their devices. Kauaʻi County has the fewest county-specific alerts, with their main form being the Kauaʻi County Alerts system which, similarly to other islands, can go to your mobile device or email. To sign up up for alerts, fill out the online opt-in form. For Maui County, residents can sign up for the main alert system for messages directly to them. For registration instructions, visit the sign-up website. For the complete list of state and county-wide alerts, visit the State of Hawaiʻi's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Northern lights may be visible in these 18 US states tonight and over the weekend
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The northern lights could put on a show tonight and through the weekend as ongoing geomagnetic storm conditions driven by turbulent space weather may push aurora farther south than usual. Earth is currently reverberating from a solar storm impact that occurred overnight on June 12-13, during which moderate G2 geomagnetic storm levels were reached. A co-rotating interaction region (CIR) — a turbulent region in the solar wind in which fast-moving streams collide with slower wind ahead of them — is also on the way, with the effects expected around June 14. NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) has issued a moderate (G2) geomagnetic storm watch for June 14 due to the incoming solar wind from a large Earth-facing coronal hole. The U.K. Met Office echoes this forecast, predicting moderate (G2) geomagnetic storms on June 13-14, with activity expected to decline to unsettled levels by June 15-16. A G2 storm can shift the aurora oval — the ring-shaped zone where auroras typically form — farther south, allowing skywatchers across parts of the northern U.S. a chance to catch a glimpse of the elusive lights, weather and dark skies permitting. Geomagnetic storms are ranked using a G-scale, which ranges from G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme). Below, we have listed 18 states that appear either fully or in part above the possible view line for auroras tonight, according to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center. They're ordered from most likely to least likely based on their proximity to the center of the auroral oval and how much of each state is within or near the view line. Keep in mind, auroras are fickle. Sometimes they show up much farther south than expected and other times they don't appear at all. Many conditions have to align for the perfect display. Alaska Montana North Dakota Minnesota Wisconsin Michigan South Dakota Maine Vermont New Hampshire Idaho Washington Oregon New York Massachusetts Connecticut Rhode Island Wyoming Viewing conditions also depend on more than just geomagnetic activity. Cloud cover, light pollution, and the brief summer night can all affect visibility. If you find yourself in one of the 18 states listed above (or simply want to try your luck) head to a dark, north-facing spot away from city lights. As we approach the summer solstice on June 20/21, nights are growing shorter, so your best window for viewing may be in the early morning hours, around 1 to 2 a.m. Interested in tracking space weather and knowing when and where to spot auroras? Download a space weather app that provides forecasts based on your location. One option I use is "My Aurora Forecast & Alerts," available for both iOS and Android. However, any similar app should work well. I also use the "Space Weather Live" app, which is available on iOS and Android, to get a deeper understanding of whether the current space weather conditions are favorable for aurora sightings. Editor's note: If you snap a great picture of the northern or southern lights and would like to share it with readers, send your photo(s), comments, and your name and location to spacephotos@
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
KFD responding to Kekaha brush fire
HONOLULU (KHON2) — The Kaua'i Fire Department is responding to a brush fire in Kekaha near the bottom of Kokee fire was reported shortly after 7:45 a.m. Fire officials reported the fire is under control but the size is not currently known. The Kaua'i Emergency Management Agency and the Kaua'i Island Utility Cooperative is monitoring the incident. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Kokee Road is closed from Kekaha Road to the Waimea Canyon drive junction. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
