#hurricane Douglas

It only takes one storm to cause significant loss of life and damage to property and the environment. The HI-EMA encourages residents to prepare now for a storm that could occur at any time.

The Central Pacific basin had two tropical cyclones — below the seasonal average — for the 2020 hurricane season. They were Tropical Storm Boris and Hurricane Douglas.

The Hurricane Warning that was in effect for Kauai County, has since been lifted (as of 2:25 a.m. on Monday, July 27, 2020) as Douglas moves rapidly away from Kauai.  The system is now 60 miles NNW of Lihue with 90 mph maximum sustained winds. It had picked up strength during a midnight advisory. The tropical cyclone continues on a path WNW at 16 mph.

The Hurricane Warning has been canceled for Maui County as Douglas continues its path toward the northwest.  A Hurricane Warning remains in effect for Oahu and Kauai Counties. At 5 p.m., Douglas remained a Category 1 hurricane with 85 mph maximum sustained winds and was located 90 miles NW of Kahului, Maui and 60 miles NE of Honolulu, Oahu.

The County of Maui, Department of Transportation announces the reinstatement of transportation services starting Monday, July 27. The Maui Bus Fixed Route, Paratransit, Commuter and Human Services Transportation services will resume its services that were recently suspended due to the impending arrival of Hurricane Douglas.

Gov. Ige announced today that he is granting non-essential state employees on O‘ahu and Kaua‘i administrative leave as the state prepares for severe weather resulting from Hurricane Douglas.

Douglas remains a Category 1 hurricane as it passes 50 miles N of Kahului, Maui. Maximum sustained winds are at 85 mph and movement continues toward the WNW at 16 mph.  The Tropical Storm Warning has been canceled for Hawaii County; but the Hurricane Warning remains in effect for Maui County according to the latest 2 p.m. forecast. 

Maui Mayor Victorino provides Hurricane Douglas updates at 11:30 a.m. on July 26, 2020 during a media briefing with various state and county agencies hosted by Hawai’i governor, David Ige.

Douglas is now 55 miles ENE of Kahului, Maui and 140 miles E of Honolulu.  It remains a Category 1 Hurricane with sustained winds near 85 mph.

A conversation with Mayor Michael Victorino (Originally aired at 8:30 a.m. 7.26.20 on Pacific Media Group’s family of stations).  

The County of Maui will sound warning sirens for Hurricane Douglas at 8:30 a.m. today to alert Maui County residents to shelter in place and stay informed.

Maui County has been upgraded from a Hurricane Watch to a Hurricane Warning in the latest update issued by the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.  The system has maintained its Category 1 strength with 90 mph sustained winds and higher gusts.  It is currently located 145 miles E of Kahului, Maui and 235 miles E of Honolulu.  

Out of an abundance of caution and to keep forest users and emergency responders safe during Tropical Cyclone Douglas,  the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife is closing all State forest lands on Sunday, July 26, 2020, until the threat has passed.

The Coast Guard reminds mariners that our facilities and ports are safest when the inventory of vessels is at a minimum. While port condition ZULU remains in effect, port facilities will be restricted until the storm has passed and crews complete damage assessment surveys.

The system has maintained the same intensity and strength with 90 mph sustained winds and remains a Category 1 hurricane. Current movement is toward the WNW at 16 mph.  Douglas is about 190 miles E of Kahului, Maui and 285 miles E of Honolulu.

Mayor Michael Victorino is urging Maui County residents to shelter in place overnight and through Sunday due to Hurricane Douglas. County crews plan to assess damage and any additional safety concerns after the hurricane has passed.

Douglas has maintained its Category 1 status with 90 mph sustained winds, according to the latest 5 p.m. update from the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.  The system is now 240 miles E of Hilo.  According to the latest cone of uncertainty, a portion of South Maui is no longer included in the cone of uncertainty.  

FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Hawaii to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by Hurricane Douglas from July 23, 2020 and continuing. US Senator Mazie Hirono said that while the funding unlocks important resources, she continued to encourage Hawaii residents to finish up storm preparations.

The County of Maui, Department of Environmental Management strongly encourages the public to conserve water to minimize sewage from entering facilities and prevent potential sewer spills due to Hurricane Douglas.

Mayor Michael Victorino announced the County of Maui will open emergency shelters on Maui Island at 7 p.m. tonight (Saturday, July 25).  Shelters on Lanai and Molokai will open tomorrow (Sunday, July 26) at 7 a.m.  Opening times and locations may change depending upon the weather. Residents are strongly encouraged to shelter IN PLACE because space is limited at the emergency shelters due to physical distancing precautions.