Hawaiʻi County Facilities to Close Friday and Saturday as Strong Kona Low Storm Arrives
Hawaiʻi County Facilities to Close Friday and Saturday as Strong Kona Low Storm Arrives
The County of Hawaiʻi announces that all non-emergency County services and operations will be closed on Friday and Saturday as a strong Kona low storm moves across the State and over Hawaiʻi Island.
The closure includes County offices as well as all park facilities, including the Hilo Municipal Golf Course and Panaʻewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens, and all solid waste facilities.
“Our administration, working with our State and Emergency Management partners, has been closely monitoring this developing storm, and we expect conditions to worsen Friday and through the weekend,” said Mayor Kimo Alameda. “To protect public safety, and to give our residents time to prepare for what this storm could bring, non-emergency County operations will be closed from 6 a.m. Friday through Saturday. We also ask residents to avoid non-essential travel during inclement weather and be prepared for potential flooding and power outages.”
All fixed route Hele-On buses and Paratransit services will be cancelled on Saturday. Fixed route cancellations and modifications for Friday can be viewed at https://twitter.com/heleonbus or by calling 808-961-8744 ext. 1. For additional Paratransit updates, call 808-640-1020.
Camping permits at County parks are cancelled from Friday through Monday morning.
The Kona low will produce southerly winds, and areas that don’t typically experience heavy rainfall or strong winds could see significant impacts. Peak impacts – including strong, locally damaging wind, thunderstorms, and heavy rain that can cause flooding – are forecast from Friday through Sunday. The impacts may vary widely depending on location and local terrain and occur in a series of waves as storm bands pass over the island.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the greatest risk for flash flooding through Sunday is in the Kona, Kaʻū and Kohala districts. North Kona, Puna and Hilo districts could see the strongest winds through the weekend, with gusts potentially up to 60 mph. As the soil becomes saturated, the risk of downed trees and landslides will grow.
NWS has issued a Flood Watch for Hawaiʻi Island from now through Saturday afternoon and a High Wind Watch from Friday morning through late Saturday night. A Flood Watch means conditions are favorable for flooding, but it has not begun.
General Safety Information
• Avoid non-essential travel and consider changing or delaying plans for travel or outdoor activities during inclement weather, especially routes that have low-lying areas prone to flooding.
• Know the areas that are prone to flooding, particularly those near your home, and use extra caution around them. Heavy rain uphill from your location can cause flooding, even if it’s not raining where you are.
• Never try to cross moving water, on foot or in a vehicle: “Turn around, don’t drown.”
• Be prepared for power outages.
• Have a “go bag” ready in case you must evacuate the area, especially if your home is in an area prone to flooding. It should include food, water, necessary medication, important documents, and other necessities for the members of your household (including pets) if you need to leave in a hurry.
• Check in with neighbors, especially those who may have mobility problems, to make sure they have a safe way to evacuate if flooding strikes.
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