HONOLULU – The City and County of Honolulu will open eight hurricane refuge areas at 8 a.m. Saturday as Tropical Storm Lala moves closer to the Hawaiian Islands and the potential for severe weather on Oʻahu increases.
Oʻahu remains under a Tropical Storm Watch, meaning tropical storm conditions are possible within the next 36 to 48 hours. The City’s Emergency Operations Center and the Honolulu Police Department’s Joint Operations Center have been fully operational since 7 a.m. Friday, coordinating preparations and response efforts across City departments and first responder agencies.
City officials are urging residents and visitors to use the remaining time Friday and early Saturday to complete preparations and be ready for strong winds, heavy rainfall, flooding and dangerous ocean conditions.
Latest forecast
As of the latest Central Pacific Hurricane Center advisory, Tropical Storm Lala had maximum sustained winds of 65 mph and continued moving west-northwest toward the Hawaiian Islands. Lala is expected to move over or just south of the islands this weekend, with impacts from wind, rain and surf expected statewide. A Hurricane Warning remains in effect for Hawaiʻi Island, a Tropical Storm Warning for Maui County, and a Tropical Storm Watch for Oʻahu, Kauaʻi and Niʻihau.
For Oʻahu, weather conditions are expected to begin deteriorating Saturday, with tropical storm conditions possible Saturday night and Sunday. Heavy rainfall could produce flash flooding, rapidly rising streams and significant flooding in low-lying and urban areas, with localized rainfall totals of up to 8 inches possible. A Flood Watch remains in effect for Oʻahu from Saturday evening through late Sunday night. Strong and gusty winds are also expected, with the potential for stronger winds over ridges and mountainous terrain, while dangerous surf and rip currents are expected to increase as Lala approaches.
Residents should not focus solely on Lala’s projected center line. Wind, heavy rain, flooding, and dangerous surf can extend well away from the center of the storm, and everyone on Oʻahu should be prepared for changing conditions throughout the weekend.
Residents should continue to monitor official forecasts and be prepared to act as conditions change.
“We have been preparing all week for this storm, and opening these hurricane refuge areas is another step we are taking to make sure our community is ready,” said Mayor Rick Blangiardi. “If you are concerned about where you will be safe during the storm, these locations will be available beginning Saturday morning. Please make your plans now, bring what you will need, and do not wait until conditions become dangerous to decide. Our teams are fully activated and will be working around the clock throughout the weekend.”
Eight hurricane refuge areas to open Saturday
Eight hurricane refuge areas will open at 8 a.m. Saturday, August 15, at the following locations:
- Blanche Pope Elementary School
- Castle High School
- Kahuku Elementary School
- Kapolei High School
- Mililani High School
- Moanalua High School
- Nānākuli Elementary
- Roosevelt High School
The refuge areas will remain open as conditions warrant.
For the most current list of hurricane refuge areas and updates, residents should visit the City’s hurricane refuge area information page.
Hurricane refuge areas provide temporary protection from severe weather for residents and visitors who need a safe place to go. Individuals planning to use a refuge area should bring their own food, water, medications, and other essential items whenever possible.
All eight locations are pet-friendly. Pets must be leashed or secured in a carrier. Owners are responsible for their pets and should bring food, water, and other necessary pet supplies.
TheBus evacuation service: During an emergency, TheBus may provide evacuation service from affected areas where conditions allow. Buses providing evacuation service will be clearly marked with “Evacuation” signage, and no fare will be required. Individuals needing transportation should flag down the driver to request evacuation assistance. Animals are permitted onboard as long as they can be safely secured or seated and do not interfere with the safety or comfort of other passengers or the driver.
H.O.N.U. residents to relocate Saturday
The City will temporarily relocate the 63 residents currently staying at its Homeless Outreach and Navigation for the Unsheltered (H.O.N.U.) program to the Kapolei High School gymnasium Saturday morning to provide safe indoor refuge during the severe weather.
Once residents have been relocated, tents and equipment at the H.O.N.U. site will be taken down and secured until conditions improve.
Non-emergency call center
The City and County of Honolulu has activated a non-emergency call center for residents and visitors seeking information related to Tropical Storm Lala.
Please call (808) 723-8960 to request or share information. The Department of Customer Services will staff an around-the-clock call center for the duration of the event, starting at 7 a.m. Saturday.
The call center can provide information on current storm conditions, City services and operations, hurricane refuge areas, and other storm-related resources.
For emergencies or immediate threats to life or safety, call 911.
Emergency operations fully activated
The City’s Emergency Operations Center and the Honolulu Police Department’s Joint Operations Center have been fully operational since 7 a.m. Friday, bringing together City departments, first responder agencies and emergency management personnel to monitor conditions, coordinate operations and rapidly deploy resources where needed.
A 12-member team from South Carolina State Fire and the Palmetto Incident Support Team arrived on Oʻahu Friday to support operations at the City’s Emergency Operations Center. The team previously deployed to Oʻahu in March to assist during the Kona Low storms and is once again providing additional emergency management support.
Community Outreach Response and Engagement (CORE) also began 24-hour operations at 7 a.m. Friday and will continue around the clock through the weekend, with operations reassessed daily.
Residents urged to prepare before conditions deteriorate
Residents and visitors should use Friday and early Saturday to complete any remaining preparations before conditions deteriorate.
Secure loose outdoor items, charge phones and backup batteries, make sure medications and emergency supplies are readily available, and avoid unnecessary travel once heavy rain and strong winds begin.
People living near streams, in flood-prone areas or along the coastline should closely monitor conditions and be prepared to move to a safer location. Never drive or walk through floodwaters or attempt to cross rapidly rising streams.
Residents should also stay away from shorelines as surf and ocean conditions become increasingly dangerous.
Sign up for HNL Alert emergency notifications by visiting hnlalert.gov or texting HNLALERT to 888777.
The City will continue providing updates throughout the weekend as conditions warrant.
Source: honolulu.gov – 4pm update: City to open Eight hurricane refuge shelter areas Saturday as O’ahu prepares for Tropical Storm Lala