Red Cross Prepared for Potential Flooding

Over the weekend, hundreds of volunteers were rounded up throughout the state as the American Red Cross Hawai’i chapter prepared for potential impacts of Tropical Depression Kilo on the state.

Red Cross officials say that a variety of volunteers were called upon, including shelter, mental health, and health workers, as well as individuals who can cover damage assessment, case work, and logistics.

“Even if the storm does not impact the island directly, we still need to be prepared for possible flooding,” Coralie Chun Matayoshi, Chief Executive Office of the Pacific Islands Region, said over the weekend.

Among the preparations was the shipping of shelter kits and supplies to Kauai, who just before the weekend, was in the most immediate danger.

Over the weekend, Kilo drifted west and began to move away from its predicted northern turn to a westerly one. As of 8 a.m. Monday morning, Tropical Depression Kilo was about 115 miles east southeast of Johnston Island. Johnston Island is currently under a Tropical Storm Warning.

Wet weather is covering most of the state as flooding conditions have threatened many areas and heavy rain hits hard. The entire state, as of 12:30 p.m. Monday, is under a Flash Flood Watch. In addition, the Big Island is under a Flash Flood Warning until 2 p.m.