Hurricane season in Hawaii is from June 1st to November 30th of each year. The NOAA is expecting below-normal activity this year with 1-4 tropical cyclones in the central Pacific region. However, don’t let your guard down. It’s better to be prepared than sorry. Don’t wait until a hurricane is headed toward us. Avoid the rush and be ready beforehand by having enough supplies for at least 7-14 days.
Hurricane Kits
- First-aid kit and prescription medication
- OTC medication and masks just in case someone gets ill
- Water for drinking and cooking to last 3 days. The general rule is one gallon per person, per day.
- Non-perishable foods: Canned foods (and a manual can opener), peanut butter, crackers, granola, etc.
- Flashlights, battery-powered radio, and extra batteries
- Personal hygiene items like soap, toilet paper, toothpaste, toothbrush, and shampoo
- Eyeglasses, clean clothing, and footwear
- Battery operated radio (again, have extra batteries)
- Put important documents into a waterproof container including writing down important phone numbers from your cell phone
Securing Your Apartment
- Do not keep prohibited items on your lanai, and be ready to bring in all outdoor furniture, plants, and anything else not tied down
- Ensure you can close awnings (rolling shutters) if you have them
- During the storm, stay away from glass windows and doors (taping windows won’t prevent glass from breaking, but may keep water from trickling in through louvers)
- Have extra towels available should rain water enter your unit during the storm
Prepare for Power Outages
- Keep your gas tank always above half full to avoid having to go out last minute
- Fill the bathtub or large receptacles with water for washing and flushing only
- Freeze any food that can be frozen and set your fridge to the coldest setting just before the storm approaches
- Charge cell phones and extra portable chargers
Other Preparations
- Have enough cash set aside. In case there is no electricity, you won’t be able to use debit or credit cards to purchase small items.
- Update your contact information by filling out the registration card in the Our Documents menu and providing it to the Resident Manager
- Make sure your homeowners insurance (HO-6 policy) is in good standing
- The Hawaiian Electric website has a Hurricane Preparedness Handbook and Checklist containing more information on what you can do ahead of time. T
The key to survival and minimizing loss is to be prepared before disaster strikes. Please share this information with your friends and family. Aloha!