Residents advised to prepare for a potential cyclone from a lingering tropical disturbance

Story updated at 3:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 22

The remnants of Tropical Depression Fifteen-E, located several hundred miles southeast of the Hawaiian Islands, has produced an increase in showers and thunderstorms over the past few hours.

The system has a 70 percent chance of developing into a tropical depression during the next day or two and a 90 percent chance in the next week as it moves slowly west-northwestward or northwestward, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Forecast models project a wide range of possible outcomes, from a few inches of rain falling throughout the event to as much as 2 feet of rainfall and strong winds in isolated areas of the Big Island. Impacts could start as early as Wednesday evening.

Although the impact still is unclear, the storm development is concerning because some forecasts show the storm following a track similiar to Hurricane Lala in August.

“The possibility of another round of heavy rainfall in areas hit hard by Hurricane Lala is a major concern,” Hawaiʻi County Mayor Kimo Alameda said in a news release. “As this develops, we will continue to provide the public with updates as well as work closely with the weather service and our other partners to prepare for whatever this storm might send our way.”

As a precaution, residents of Hawaiʻi Island are advised to remain vigilant and use this time to develop personal, family, and business emergency preparedness plans for possible heavy rain and windy conditions.

“Preparedness to respond to the evolving storm hazards and reduce risk to life and property will be vital as forecasters gather more data about the potential cyclone and its path,” said Darryl Oliveira, acting administrator of the Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency. “We can hope it stays weak or stays away, but we need to respect the potential power of the storm and be ready for whatever it brings,” he said.

Oliveira encouraged residents to take steps that can limit damage from storms and help keep people safe:

• Make a plan for how to shelter at home or move to safe shelter before a storm arrives. Discuss it with your family.
• Check around your home and trim vegetation that could be downed by wind and cause damage.
• Check drainage areas, gutters, and drains to clear any debris that may block water from flowing.
• Make sure you have emergency food, water and medication for everyone in your household (including pets). Be ready for power outages, which may be lengthy.
• Sign up for Civil Defense emergency alerts at bit.ly/HCCDAlerts.

For more information, visit the County of Hawaii Hazard Impact Map.