Governor Josh Green, M.D., praised Hawai‘i’s handling of Tropical Storm Calvin and cautioned that the storm was just the first challenge in a hurricane season that lasts through November.
In a statement Governor Green said, “Thankfully, Calvin did not cause significant damage, but it’s a reminder for us to be prepared. He stressed that the state recommends that all residents should be “2 Weeks Ready” for an emergency, with a stockpile of water, food, medicine, and other necessary supplies that could last up to 14 days.
The leading edge of Calvin struck Hawai‘i island late Tuesday with heavy rains and 50 mph winds and stronger gusts. The storm originally was expected to pass over most of the major islands, but it gradually shifted to the south and mainly caused localized flooding and minor wind damage over the southeast portions of the Big Island. By midday Wednesday it was moving off to the west and winds had dropped below tropical storm strength, or 40 mph.
The Governor thanked the local, state, federal and private sector partners who worked together to prepare for the storm and respond to its impacts, from the U.S. military and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to the Hawai‘i Red Cross and its volunteers.
Hawaiʻi County Mayor Mitch Roth also praised the efforts of all the partners that took part in the emergency management effort, singling out the Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Agency, which worked days in advance and through the night to prepare for impacts and manage response efforts.
Hurricane season in Hawaiʻi is from June through November. The HI-EMA website offers a wealth of information on disaster preparedness.
