Hurricanes Don't Prepare, But You Can

The approach of Hurricane Kiko and the recent tsunami warning show the importance of knowing what you need to do in advance of a potential natural disaster.

Are you prepared? Do you get emergency notices? Know if you should evacuate or shelter in place? Do you have friends, family or neighbors who can help you if you need help?

Create a disaster plan, make sure you get emergency alerts and ask for help ahead of time. Read on and click on the links below.

Each county in Hawai`i has a text message emergency alert system and a presence on social media.

If you don’t have a smartphone or Internet access, each county also has emergency radio stations where emergency alerts are broadcast. There is also a state-wide television emergency alert system and sirens.

But it’s not enough to sign up for alerts and listen for emergency messages. You also need to know what to do if you get an alert or if an evacuation is ordered. In the case of a fast-moving wildfire or flash flood, you may want to evacuate even before an alert is issued.

Below are links to hep you create an emergency plan for yourself, your family and your community. There are also links on signing up for emergency alerts.

Sign up for emergency text alerts and follow on social media:

Honolulu Department of Emergency Management:
Website: honolulu.gov/dem
Alert Signup: member.everbridge.net/77929497231425/login
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/OahuDEM
X: @Oahu_DEM

Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency
Website: hawaii-county-civil-defense-agency-hawaiicountygis.hub.arcgis.com
Alert signup: member.everbridge.net/index/371914103062563#/signup
Instagram: @HawaiiCountyCivilDefense
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hawaiicountycivildefense

Maui Emergency Management Agency
Website: mauicounty.gov/70/Emergency-Management-Agency
Alert signup: mauicounty.gov/list.aspx
Evacuation Zone Alerts: mauicounty.gov/2817/GENASYS-Know-Your-Zone
X: @CoMaui_MEMA
Instagram: @maui_ema
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MauiEMA

Kauaʻi Emergency Management AgencyWebsite: WebsiteAlert signup: Alert Signup
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CountyofKauai/

State of Hawaiʻi – Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency
X: @Hawaii_EMA
Instagram: @hawaii_ema
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HawaiiEMA/

Radio

Below are listed the local primary radio stations that broadcast emergency information for each county:

Hawaiʻi County
Hilo:
101.5 FM (KWXX)
670 AM (KPUA)
97.9 FM (KKBG)
Kona:
101.5 FM (KAOY)
106.1 FM (KLEO)

Maui County
900 AM 102.5 FM (KMVI)
1110 AM (KAOI)

Honolulu (Oʻahu)
92.3 FM/590 AM (KSSK)
96.3 FM (KRTR)
1210 AM (KZOO) (Japanese)
1540 AM (KREA)(Korean)
1270 AM (KNDI) (Multi-Cultural Radio)

Kauaʻi County
93.5 FM (KQNG)
91.9 FM (KKCR)

Source: Hawai`i Emergency Management Agency

Information on Creating an Emergency Plan:

aarp.org/home-living/disaster-preparedness/
ready.gov/plan
Be Red Cross Ready
aarp.org/livable-communities/tool-kits-resources/info-2022/aarp-disaster-resilience-tool-kit.html

Information for Kupuna about Emergency Plans:

ready.gov/older-adults
redcross.org/prepare/location/home-family/seniors

Information for the Disabled about Emergency Plans:

redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/inclusive-preparedness-resources.html
fema.gov/pdf/library/pfd_all.pdf

Information for Caregivers about Emergency Plans:

rosalynncarter.org/emergency-preparedness/
alz.org/help-support/caregiving/safety/in-a-disaster