HPD & HFD Recommending Residents of Reeds Island to Evacuate

9:05 p.m. Update:

The Hawai‘i Police Department reports that flooding on Kaiulani Street on Reeds Island has prompted the voluntary evacuation of residents. Kaiulani Street is closed until further notice. Police and Fire personnel are going house to house informing residents of severe flooding and recommending evacuation. If residents do not evacuate, first responders may not be able to reach them if the situation becomes too hazardous.

The Red Cross Shelter at Waiakea High School is open to anyone that wants to evacuate. If you choose to do so, use extreme caution travelling to the shelter. If you choose to relocate to a shelter, food is not provided. Please bring your blankets and pillows if possible. However, the shelter is open to everyone with or without these items. These storm conditions are extremely dangerous and people are advised to stay alert to changing conditions and to be prepared.

For your information, Saddle Road is closed at the 10.5 mile marker due to a landslide. The road will be closed for several hours as crews work to remove the debris.

Conditions are being monitored and you will be kept informed of major closures as best as possible. This is a very dangerous situation and heavy rains are expected to continue on the windward side of the Big Island.

Original Post:

Police and Fire personnel are recommending residents of Reeds Island on Kaiulani Street in Hilo evacuate their homes due to increased danger of severe flooding.

Public safety personnel are going house to house, contacting the residents and informing them of the increasing threat.

Those refusing to evacuate may not be able to be rescued by first responders should conditions continue to worsen. Kaiulani Street is closed to incoming traffic.