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.
The key to survival and minimizing loss is to be prepared before disaster strikes. Please share this information with your friends and family. Aloha!