LIHU‘E — All of the Hawaiian Islands are currently under a tsunami warning. Waves are expected to hit between 10:30 and 11 p.m. At 10:51 p.m., the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) reported on Twitter that tsunami waves were reported
LIHU‘E — All of the Hawaiian Islands are currently under a tsunami warning. Waves are expected to hit between 10:30 and 11 p.m.
At 10:51 p.m., the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) reported on Twitter that tsunami waves were reported at Hanalei. The PTWC expects the biggest waves at Hanalei. The third wave is typically the strongest.
At 11:07 p.m., the PTWC reported a half foot tsunami at Hanalei in the first wave.
The county reports that KPD has closed roadways that lead to inundation zones.
The tsunami may reach various parts of the state at different times.
Gov. Neil Abercrombie has signed an emergency proclamation to hand the governor emergency powers to deal with natural and man-made disasters or emergencies. The proclamation can be read at http://1.usa.gov/UTQyO4
Read more: http://www.kitv.com/news/national/Tsunami-waves-begin-to-reach-Hawaii/-/8905418/17163256/-/a0mdr/-/index.html#ixzz2AaCQ8WtF
All Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau residents and visitors in coastal areas and/or tsunami inundation zones and low-lying areas are asked to evacuate immediately due to the tsunami warning.
Anyone who does not need to evacuate is asked to stay off the roadways, according to the County of Kaua‘i.
Plan to have gas in your vehicle, have cash, food, water and medicines.
Kauai County suggests bringing snacks if you have them readily available and advises against stopping at any stores on the way to the Holding Areas. Bring supplies for babies and small children.
The Civil Air Patrol is on its second pass of Ni‘ihau warning residents to head for higher ground.
Holding Areas will provide temporary shelter and use of bathrooms throughout the duration of the warning period.
These centers do not stock supplies. Bring emergency supplies for you and your family with you.
The holding areas are located at:
∫ Koloa School is FULL. Please proceed to Kalaheo School instead.
∫ Kalaheo School at 4400 Maka Rd., in Kalaheo (West/South Shore) This is a new location opened in the past 15 minutes.
∫ ‘Ele‘ele School at 4750 Uliuli Rd., in ‘Ele‘ele (West Shore) There is a water issue at this school. Please proceed to Kalaheo Elementary or Waimea High School instead.
∫ Waimea High School at 9707 Tsuchiya Rd., in Waimea (West Shore)
∫ Kapa‘a Elementary School at 4886 Kawaihau Rd., in Kapa‘a
∫ Kapa‘a Middle School at 4867 Olohena Rd., in Kapa‘a
∫ Kapa‘a High School at 4695 Mailihuna Rd., in Kapa‘a
∫ Kaua‘i High School at 3577 Lala Pl., in Lihu‘e
∫ Kilauea School at 2440 Kolo Rd., in Kilauea (North Shore)
∫ King Kaumuali‘i Elementary School is FULL. People in Hanama‘ulu or Lihu‘e should go to Wilcox Elementary instead.
∫ Wilcox Elementary School at 4319 Hardy Street in Lihu‘e
Here is a link to the Kauai Tsunami Evacuation Maps. If you are in these areas, move to higher ground or a Holding Area shelter: http://static.pdc.org/tsunami/#kauai
“We do considerable outreach with persons with disabilities and assist them to develop an evacuation plan before an emergency happens. They should have a plan in place with family members and/or others to assist,” said Beth Tokioka of the County of Kaua‘i.
The warning was issued following a 7.7 magnitude earthquake, followed by a 5.8 magnitude aftershock in the Queen Charlotte Islands area off of the coast of British Columbia in Canada, according to the U.S. Geographical Survey.
The earthquake did generate a tsunami according to the National Weather Service.
According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center website, “A tsunami has been generated that could cause damage along coastlines of all islands in the state of Hawaii. Urgent action should be taken to protect lives and property.”
According to the O‘ahu Department of Emergency Management: Refer to the Tsunami Evacuation Maps in your phone book.
If you are in a tsunami evacuation zone you must evacuate. If you are not in a zone stay off of the road an away form the shoreline until the all clear is sounded.
Residents in the evacuation zone living in concrete and steel reinforced buildings of six or more stories evacuate vertically to the third floor or higher.
Do not use the phone or cell phone unless you have an emergency.
You can also access tsunami evacuation maps online at www.tsunami.csc.noaa.gov/map.html
According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, a tsunami is a series of long ocean waves. Each individual wave crest can last 5 to 10 minutes or more and extensively flood coastal areas. The danger can continue for many hours after the initial wave as subsequent waves arrive. Tsunami wave heights cannot be predicted and the first wave may not be the largest. Tsunami waves efficiently wrap around islands. All shores are at risk no matter which direction they face. The trough of a tsunami wave may temporarily expose the seafloor but the area will quickly flood again. Extremely strong and unusual nearshore currents can accompany a tsunami. Debris picked up and carried by a tsunami amplifies its destructive power. Simultaneous high tides or high surf can significantly increase the tsunami hazard.
