Kihei Red Cross Shelter Assists 11 Victims Displaced by Floods

By Wendy Osher

Flooding along South Kiehi Rd. Photo by South Maui Councilman, Don Couch.

Kihei Community Center. File Photo by Wendy Osher.

Storm cleanup and assistance continues in the aftermath of the cold front that passed over the islands Wednesday night into Thursday morning.  County officials coordinated efforts with the American Red Cross and Maui Economic Opportunity to set up three shelters last night—at the Kihei Community Center, Lahaina Civic Center and at the Eddie Tam Gym in Makawao.

The Red Cross shelter at the Kihei Community Center accommodated a total of 11 clients overnight, plus a puppy that slept in the car. Red Cross Maui Director, Michele Liberty said the agency plans to keep the shelter open tonight for those that were displaced by the storm damage.

Red Cross Damage Assessment teams spent the day in Kihei, with another team en-route to South Maui this afternoon to offer affected residents supplies to assist with cleanup efforts.

Heavy flooding and runoff in the south Maui area forced the closure of South Kihei Road for much of the day yesterday.  Portions of the roadway remained inaccessible this morning as crews continued their cleanup and debris removal efforts.