LIHU‘E — A Kona low rocked Kaua‘i late Sunday through early Monday, sending showers and thunderstorms across the island and cutting power to thousands.
As of Monday afternoon, roughly 9,400 Kaua‘i residents had experienced power outages due to severe weather, according to the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative. By Monday evening, only about 140 residents remained in the dark.
Even after the storm’s passing, Kalalau Trail and the Napali Coast State Wilderness Park remain closed due to weather impacts. The shuttle service to Ha‘ena State Park has also been suspended, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.
However, with initial reports of potential 60 mph wind gusts and expected damage to roofs and siding, Elton Ushio, administrator of the Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency (KEMA), noted that the storm’s impact could have been much worse.
“In the areas of the island that are well populated, we did get reports of heavy rains and bursts of stronger winds, but nothing extensive as far as damage,” he said. “I think the brunt of the storm was taken by the remote mountainous and coastal areas on the northwest side of the island.”
Still, Ushio adds that not all damages may have been reported, and asks that those who know of property, infrastructure or people impacted by the storm to inform KEMA at 808-241-1800 or KEMA@kauai.gov.
“The impacts may not have been as severe as we feared, but knowing where people may have been injured — how and where damages occurred — is useful because we’ll share that information with our core response partners so they can better analyze the impacts,” he said.
The state Department of Health on Monday issued an island-wide brown water advisory, warning of potential stormwater runoff in coastal waters containing chemical and biological health hazards, such as pesticides, fecal matter and pathogens. Depending on how much runoff the storm created, the advisory could last a few days to more than a week, according to Ushio.
While Kaua‘i avoided catastrophe in the recent Kona low, the state Department of Health recommends all households create a preparedness kit containing enough food, water and supplies for 14 days in the event of more severe natural disasters.
“Preparedness and resilience start at the individual and family levels,” Ushio said. “Everything that the community can do to be aware and prepared makes it better for all of us.”
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Jackson Healy, reporter, can be reached at 808-245-0427 or jhealy@thegardenisland.com.
