LIHUE – Floods, tsunamis, earthquakes and volcanoes are all ever-present possibilities in Hawaii, and with ash and mud still caking some of the state’s streets, American Red Cross empahasized preparedness this week.
“Disasters impact everyone. It doesn’t matter where you live. Every place could be a flood zone. Earthquakes can happen at any moment. Hurricanes, we have a little bit of notice, but no matter where you live, you need to have that plan,” said Michelle Rico, agent with Allstate North West, which is partnering with ARC to hand out disaster kits throughout the United States.
“Specifically using the example of the volcano, some residents had only five minutes to grab their belongings and leave. That’s why we’re trying to get people to think about it ahead of time,” she said.
On an annual basis in the United States, there are 1 million disasters, but 85 percent of Americans are not prepared to weather such an event. That’s why Allstate Insurance, in partnership with ARC, handed out 1,000 disaster preparedness starter kits this week throughout Hawaii.
The kits include a water bottle, garbage bag, first-aid kit, dust mask, hand-crank flashlight and a backpack, but the most important part of the kit, Rico said, is a full-list of instructions on creating an emergency kit and developing an evacuation plan.
“If they have a kit already made, they can grab their kits (and) just leave,” Rico said.
ARC Kauai Director of Disaster Services Padraic Gallagher said the standard emergency preparedness kit says to plan for 14 days, but because of Kauai’s
location, residents should do their best to prepare to be without specific items for at least a month. Residents should establish an off-island emergency contact as well.
“Everything that comes to Kauai has to go through Oahu first before it gets to us, so if there’s anything unique needed for a person, they should really think of having a month’s supply, because there’s certain things we can’t get,” he said.
In addition to rice, Gallagher also suggested Kauai residents stock up on Spam.
“We always tell people get the food you know you’ll eat, but by the same token, you go 12 hours or a day after food, even if it’s something you don’t like, it’ll taste good. After 24-hours, Spam would taste good,” he said.
Since last month’s flooding, one thing Gallagher said he’s noticed a need for is extra cords for any rechargeable devices.
