| The County of Hawaiʻi is opening shelters ahead of Tropical Storm Moke, which will bring heavy rainfall that can cause flash flooding starting tonight.
As of 11 a.m. Saturday, Tropical Storm Moke was 425 miles southeast of Hilo with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph. Rainfall amounts of 5-10 inches, with isolated amounts as high as 15 inches, are possible in windward areas with this storm. Because the ground remains saturated from Hurricane Lala, it may not take much rainfall to cause additional flooding.
Residents who live in areas prone to flooding or that are unsafe should relocate to a shelter or other safe location before storm conditions begin.
The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for Hawai’i Island for tonight through Monday afternoon and a Wind Advisory for Kohala, Kaʻū, lower Puna, and interior areas of the island through 6 p.m. Sunday. Winds of 25-35 mph and gusts up to 55 mph are expected.
“Our County crews remain ready to respond, and we ask our residents to remain vigilant and be prepared for heavy rainfall and gusty winds as Tropical Storm Moke passes us to the south,” said Mayor Kimo Alameda. “The ground remains saturated, so be aware it may not take much rain to cause more flooding. We know residents are fatigued and still recovering from Hurricane Lala, and we want to thank everyone for doing their part to keep themselves and their neighbors safe.”
As part of storm preparations, the County Department of Public Works completed clearing the Nāʻālehu flood channel on Friday.
In the event that Kīlauea erupts during the storm, Highway 11 will be open to area residents only between the entrance of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and Kaʻū.
Access to Pāhala and Waiʻōhinu/Nāʻālehu via Highway 11 remains limited to local/disaster response only.
Shelters
All shelters will be open at 8 p.m. today (Saturday). Shelters at Nāʻālehu Elementary School gym and Robert N. Herkes Gym in Pāhala are operating with generator power and are currently open.
Bring your own supplies, including food, water, sleeping bags, and any necessary medicine. Shelters are pet friendly. Pets must be kept in a carrier. Hot showers are available at Robert N. Herkes Gym. Bring your own towels and hygiene products.
Shelter locations:
- Nāʻālehu Elementary School gym, 95-5545 Mamalahoa Highway, Nāʻālehu.
- Robert N. Herkes Gym, 96-1219 Kamani St., Pāhala.
- Pāhoa Senior Center, 15-3016 Kauhale St., Pāhoa
- Keaʻau Armory, 16-512 Volcano Road, Keaʻau.
- Puʻuʻeo Community Center, 145 Wainaku St., Hilo.
- Sgt. Rodney J.T. Yano Memorial Hall, 82-6156 Mamalahoa Highway, Captain Cook.
Bus Service
The following bus routes will be cancelled on Sunday:
- Routes 2, 10, 12 and 90.
- Route 75 @ 6:15 a.m. (southbound to Kona)
- Route 75 @ 3:03 p.m. (northbound to Kapaʻau).
Should Kamehameha Avenue flooding occur, the Hilo Park & Ride will be moved to the Kuawa Park parking lot.
All other fixed route services and trip times are scheduled to operate as regularly scheduled; however, due to the unknown effects of weather conditions, transportation delays, re-routing, and cancellations may occur at a moment’s notice.
Sandbags
Sandbags can be requested by contacting the Department of Public Works at dpwhwy@hawaiicounty.gov or 808-961-8349. For after-hours requests, contact Civil Defense at 808-935-0031. Sandpile locations can be found here. Bring your own sandbags.
General Safety Information
- Complete your storm preparations, have a shelter plan, and avoid unnecessary travel by staying off roadways during storm impacts.
- Know the areas that are prone to flooding, especially 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.”
- Monitor local forecasts from reliable sources for the latest information about the storm and its potential hazards.
- 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 the area around your home. Trim tree limbs and secure awnings, umbrellas and other objects that could become airborne and damage your roof or windows. Remove debris that may block drainage and increase the chance of flooding.
- Check in with neighbors, especially those who may have mobility problems, to make sure they have a safe way to evacuate if flooding strikes.
Stay Informed
The County will provide updates as conditions evolve. Residents and visitors can receive emergency notifications by signing up for Civil Defense alerts at their website. Sign up for Civil Defense emergency alerts at bit.ly/HCCDAlerts.
View the County Hazard Impact Map here.
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