County of Hawaiʻi officials urge residents to prepare for another Kona low that could bring heavy rainfall and the potential for flash flooding as early as Thursday night.
While this weather system is not as severe as last week’s storm, the ground remains saturated, increasing the risk of flooding and landslides. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a statewide Flood Watch through Sunday afternoon.
According to the NWS, the next Kona low is anticipated to produce several rounds of moderate to heavy rainfall with peak impacts for Hawaiʻi Island expected from Friday night through Sunday.
Residents should be aware that, due to ground saturation, areas that flooded last time could flood faster with additional rainfall.
To prepare for the flood risk, residents are advised to:
- Check drainage areas around your property.
- Never try to cross moving water, on foot or in a vehicle: “Turn around, don’t drown.”
- Have a “go bag” ready in case you must evacuate the area, especially if your home is in an area prone to flooding. It should include food, water, necessary medication, important documents, and other necessities for the members of your household (including pets) if you need to leave in a hurry.
- Check in with neighbors, especially those who may have mobility problems, to make sure they have a safe way to evacuate if flooding strikes.
Storm Recovery
Residents in need of assistance following the last Kona low are encouraged to submit a request for assistance. Vibrant Hawaiʻi, in partnership with the County of Hawaiʻi, has established a request-for-assistance form at bit.ly/vh-rfa.
Residents and businesses are also encouraged to submit damage reports, which assist the County with identifying priorities and focusing resources if state or federal disaster assistance becomes available.
Damage reports can be submitted at the following link – Bit.ly/CDDisasterRecovery – or by calling Civil Defense at (808) 935-0031.
The County will provide updates as conditions evolve. Residents can receive emergency notifications by signing up for Civil Defense alerts at their website at bit.ly/HCCDAlerts.
View the County Hazard Impact Map.
