What is a Hurricane?
Hurricanes and tropical storms combine the triple threat of violent winds, torrential rains, and storm surge. Each of these by itself could pose a serious threat to life and property. Taken together, they can cause widespread destruction, especially to older homes and residences that could be impacted by coastal storm surge. Due to the high number of older homes in Hawaii that were neither built nor retrofitted to withstand hurricane impacts, even a Category 1 storm could leave thousands homeless on Oʻahu.
Each element of a hurricane poses it’s own risks. Learn more about each one by hovering over the boxes below:
High Winds
High Winds
Can destroy homes and structures, especially those that have not been built or retrofitted to withstand hurricane force winds.
Storm Surge
Storm Surge
Can cause extensive flood damage to structures near shorelines, even those that are not usually prone to flooding. This is the leading cause of hurricane-related fatalities.
Heavy Rain
Heavy Rain
Can produce unusually heavy or prolonged rainfall that can cause extensive flooding.
Unlike some disasters, hurricanes are forecast with enough advanced notice that there is some time to prepare. Make sure you understand the different hurricane alert types to know if where you live is forecast to be impacted by a hurricane. In Hawaiʻi, different islands may be under different alerts at the same time.
A Hurricane or Tropical Storm Watch is issued when a hurricane or tropical storm is expected within 48 hours. Use this time to prepare and review your family emergency plan and kit.
A Hurricane or Tropical Storm Warning is issued when a hurricane or tropical storm is expected within 36 hours. Use this time to take protective actions to either evacuate or shelter-in-place.
As a storm approaches the islands, forecasts will be updated with specific information for the particular conditions of that event. The Central Pacific Hurricane Center issues these forecasts as well as the watch and warning information above.
Am I at risk where I live?
A hurricane will impact all of the island of Oʻahu but the risks may be greater depending on where you live. Knowing ahead of time if your home is in an area that is susceptible to flooding or storm surge, or if you live in an area where winds may be stronger, is key to understanding your personal level of risk.
No, definitely evacuate if:
- You live in an older single wall wood framed home built before 1995 that has not been retrofitted to withstand hurricane-force winds.
Possibly, have a plan ready and be prepared to evacuate if:
- Authorities advise evacuation in your area.
- Destructive storm surge is forecast for your area. The National Hurricane Center Storm Surge Risk Maps can give you an idea of whether you live in an area that may experience storm surge.
- NOTE: These maps are a compilation of multiple worst case scenarios and are not a reflection of the risk potential of an individual event. As a storm approaches, official information on projected storm surge will be published.
- You live on an exposed ridgeline.
- You live in a flood zone or an area at risk of flooding, particularly in a dam evacuation zone or near a stream.
Probably, plan to shelter-in-place if your home meets all these conditions:
- Built after 1994 or retrofitted to withstand hurricane-force winds.
- Has protected windows (i.e. fitted with plywood, shutters, reinforced glass, etc.) and/or access to an interior room with no windows, no exterior walls, and enough space for all family members, pets, and emergency supplies.
- Located outside of a storm surge hazard area.
- If located in a storm surge hazard area, you live in a condo or apartment on the 4th floor or higher in a building 10 stories or taller. Or, if your unit is below the 4th floor, you are able to temporarily shelter-in-place in on a higher floor in an interior hallway, stairwell, or in another unit.
Evacuation Best Option
Consider evacuating to the pre-identified home of a friend or family member that meet the shelter-in-place principles above. If possible, determine if your workplace has a protected area where employees and families are allowed to take refuge. Make sure to take your disaster supplies with you.
Evacuation Last Resort Option
If you do not have any other options, evacuate to the nearest Hurricane Refuge Area. While these offer some protection from hurricane threats, they are intended to be a last resort for those without safer options to use. In almost all cases, these facilities – that are often referred to as “shelters” – do not meet State of Hawaii guidelines for hurricane evacuation shelters. Registered design professionals have determined that Oʻahu shelters are “best available refuge areas,” which provide a safer option than remaining in areas prone to flooding, storm surge, or in older homes with wood frames or single-wall construction. When evacuating, take your disaster supplies with you, as Hurricane Refuge Areas provide no supplies. Not all refuge areas will open for every storm. Make sure to confirm which are open before you head out. See the map of potential hurricane refuge areas here.
How do I stay safe?
There are a few things you need to do in order to be prepared for and stay safe during a hurricane. Take whatever actions you can now to be ready when a storm is expected.
Before a Storm is Forecast
Taking action today, before a hurricane is threatening our island, will help ensure you have all the plans and supplies you need. Don’t wait to prepare until a storm is coming as there may be shortages of critical supplies.
Every family is unique and so is every family’s emergency plan. Think about what special people, pets, or circumstances you should plan for. Do you have keiki or kupuna who might need extra help in an emergency? Do you have a pet that you need to pack food or a crate for? What about your power requirements? Do you need electricity for medical devices? Identify the needs and make a plan for each member of the family ahead of time so you can be confident you can take care of your family in an emergency.
Every emergency plan should include some essential things:
- Know if you will have to evacuate your home.
- A location where your family plans to meet if you need to evacuate or are separated.
- Contact information for family members, friends, workplaces, medical providers, and other important contacts. Establish an off-island or out-of-state contact that everyone in your family knows to contact in the event on-island communications are limited.
Learn more at honolulu.gov/dem/preparedness/make-plan.
Living on an island means that it is extremely important to have a 14-day disaster supply kit. Unlike areas in the continental US, Hawaiʻi residents don’t have the option to drive somewhere that hasn’t been impacted when a hurricane happens. We must be ready with food, water, and emergency supplies in case goods cannot be offloaded from ships, transportation on island is not available, or utilities are out.
Your 14-day disaster supply kit should include everything your household would need to survive for two weeks without utilities or access to outside supplies.
Find out what to include in your 14-day kit at honolulu.gov/dem/build-a-kit.
Do you live in a flood zone or on a ridge line? These and other factors increase your risk during a hurricane. Learn more in the the “Am I at risk where I live?” section above.
Check your insurance policies to determine what, if any, hurricane-related damage is covered by your policy. Standard homeowner and renters’ insurance do not include hurricane or flood coverage.
- Get Appropriate Supplies to Protect Windows. These materials can include shutters, mesh screens, plywood, panels, and impact-resistant glass. They need to be sized for your windows well in advance of a storm.
- Check the Homeowner’s Handbook to Prepare for Natural Hazards to learn how to protect your home from hurricane damage. Visit https://seagrant.soest.hawaii.edu/homeowners-handbook-to-prepare-for-natural-hazards/ to download a copy.
When a Storm is a Threat
Once we know a hurricane is on the way toward Hawaiʻi, it is time to begin preparing your home and family for potential impacts.
- Clear rain gutters and downspouts. Be sure trees and shrubs around your home are well trimmed.
- Secure loose objects like trimmings, outdoor furniture, surfboards, and trash cans to prevent them from becoming projectiles in high wind.
- Board up windows. Tape does not prevent windows from breaking. The least expensive option is to board up windows with 5/8” marine plywood, cut to fit and ready to install.
- Secure and brace exterior doors.
- Do not open a door or window for air flow
- Turn off utilities if instructed to do so. Turn the refrigerator thermostat to its coldest setting and keep its doors closed.
- Determine how and where to secure your boat if you own one
- Take inventory of your both inside and outside of your home and property by taking pictures or videos; save multiple copies and store in a safe place.
- Monitor local radio and TV stations for emergency information and important updates.
- Review your family emergency plan with all members of your household.
- Check the contents of your 14-day disaster supply kit.
- Prepare to evacuate in case you need to. If your plan is to go to a public shelter, stay tuned to local media for a list of open Hurricane Refuge Areas. Take your supply kit with you wherever you evacuate.
- Have mobile cell phones charged and have an external charger for each
- Backup important electronic files onto an external drive or to the cloud regularly
- Once a hurricane is expected to make landfall, make sure you are in a safe location.
- Monitor local radio stations for emergency information and important updates.
- Stay indoors away from windows, skylights, and glass doors.
- Close interior doors and take refuge in a small interior room, like a closet or hallway, on the lowest level of your home.
- The eye of the hurricane is deceptively calm and almost free of clouds with light winds and warm temperatures. Do not go outdoors while the eye is passing; the full intensity of the storm will reoccur in minutes.
After a Storm
After a hurricane has moved away from our island, make sure you are staying safe while you assess damage or begin clean up efforts.
Continuously monitor TV (if working) and radio for instructions. Authorities will announce when it is safe to go outside and/or to return to your home.
Be aware of hazards, i.e. down power lines, broken gas lines, contaminated water, weakened structures, broken glass, etc. Debris on roadways will limit your ability to drive around.
When assessing damage, take photos to document your losses.
Once it is safe to return and you have photographed damage, begin cleaning immediately to avoid further hazards like mold growth.