2019 Pacific Hurricane Season Is Here. Are you Prepared?

Satellite imagery of Erick. PC: (7.31.19) NOAA/National Hurricane Center.

From destructive high winds and some of the worst flooding the islands have seen in years, the busy 2018 Pacific Hurricane Season taught us that a hurricane or tropical storm does not need to make a direct hit to the Hawaiian Islands to be catastrophic.

Preparing for a hurricane or a tropical storm is a significant step towards protecting your safety and minimizing its destructive effects.

Below are steps you can take before a hurricane: (courtesy Premier Restoration Hawaiʻi)

1. Make an Emergency Kit: Pack at least 14 days of food and water and all necessary emergency items.

2. Communication Plan: Choose a family member who lives out of state who everyone in your family can notify when safe.

3. Meeting Place: Choose a physical location to meet if means of communication are down.

4. Have an escape route: Map out an escape route for each room in your home and practice drills with family members.

Packing and thinking about the correct items to pack in your emergency kit can be time consuming.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has provided a list of items below that should be in your emergency kit:

• Water: one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)
• Food: non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)
• Flashlight
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
• Extra batteries
• First aid kit Medications (7-day supply) and medical items
• Multi-purpose tool, like a Swiss Army knife
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items
• Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
• Cell phone with charger
• Family and emergency contact information
• Extra cash
• Extra fuel for generator and car

Information in this article is provided in part by Premier Restoration Hawaii