Hawaiʻi County Facilities to Reopen on Monday
Hawaiʻi County Facilities to Reopen on Monday
The County of Hawaiʻi will return to normal operations on Monday, but the public should continue to exercise caution due to ongoing hazards from the Kona low storm.
The National Weather Service issued an islandwide Flood Watch that remains in effect into Monday. Soils remain saturated from heavy rains, and there continues to be a flash flood risk for Kaʻū, Kona and Kohala. Scattered showers and locally heavy rainfall are forecast for Monday as the storm dissipates.
“While peak storm impacts have passed, we are not out of the woods yet, so please continue to exercise caution,” said Mayor Kimo Alameda. “I want to give a special mahalo to our first responders and road crews who are working hard to keep our residents safe. Throughout this storm, our community has stepped up in a big way, and the support from our State, National Guard, and nonprofit partners has been critical to protecting life and property.”
Mayor Alameda added, “As we move toward the cleanup and recovery phase, be aware of hazards that may still be present, including downed power lines.”
Residents looking to dispose of green waste created by the storm may use the East Hawaiʻi Organics Facility in Hilo, West Hawaiʻi Organics Facility at Puʻuanahulu or the following County transfer stations: Keaʻau, Waiʻōhinu, Keʻei, Kealakehe, Waimea, Volcano and Pāhoa. All solid waste facilities return to normal operations on Monday.
Bus services also will return to normal operations on Monday. Park facilities will reopen following the completion of damage assessments.
Emergency Response
The Hawaiʻi Fire Department (HFD) has rescued 18 individuals from flooded homes and stranded vehicles.
Late Sunday evening, the shelter at Nāʻālehu Community Center was relocated to Nāʻālehu Elementary School due to a flood channel overflowing. HFD and Hawaiʻi Police Department personnel conducted voluntary evacuations of nearby residents. The six shelter occupants were relocated with assistance from the Hawaiʻi National Guard’s high-water vehicles.
Clean Up & Damage Assessments
As the Kona low storm moves away from Hawai‘i, residents may be eager to start clean-up. Use caution to protect against continuing hazards and document the damage. Residents should contact their insurance agent and document damaged property with photos before beginning cleanup.
Residents and businesses impacted by the storm may submit damage reports to Civil Defense at the following links:
Residential damage reports.
Commercial damage reports.
The reports will be used to assess impacts, prioritize response efforts and access recovery resources. If you are unable to fill out forms online, call Civil Defense at (808) 935-0031.
To report agricultural damage, please contact the USDA Farm Service Agency at (808) 933-8381 Ext. 2.
Shelters
In response to the storm, the County opened shelters in districts across the island. All shelters are scheduled to be closed as of 4 p.m. Sunday.
