Kaua‘i Flood Update

This is a Kaua‘i flood update for Saturday, April 21, 2018.

Drinking water and electricity has been restored to normal for all affected residents in the Wainiha and Hā‘ena communities.

State emergency response personnel joined 25th Infantry Division Soldiers to quickly get relief supplies to people trapped by severe rains, floods and mudslides in northern Kauai April 17. 25th Infantry Division Soldiers transported emergency vehicles, food, water, bedding, hygiene products and other supplies to affected areas, and transported people stranded to Camp Naue near Princeville, Kauai. 25th Inf. Div. aviation assets were tasked to support relief efforts after the state requested assistance through U.S. Pacific Command. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Keith Anderson, 25th Infantry Division Public Affairs) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Keith Anderson)

As of 11 a.m. Saturday, April 21, 2018, the Department of Water’s “Do not drink” advisory was lifted for Hā‘ena residents located along a portion of Kūhiō Highway, between Mānoa Stream and Limahuli Stream. DOW confirms that water is safe for drinking and in compliance with safe drinking water standards for all customers with water service.

Final non-emergency air operations concluded today, with nearly 477 people evacuated via air since Monday.

Hundreds of people were stranded after severe rains, flooding and mudslides in Kauai blocked roadways and surrounded homes. 25th Infantry Division Soldiers transported emergency vehicles, food, water, bedding, hygiene products and other supplies to affected areas, and transported people stranded to Camp Naue near Princeville, Kauai. 25th Inf. Div. aviation assets were tasked to support relief efforts after the state requested assistance through U.S. Pacific Command. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Keith Anderson, 25th Infantry Division Public Affairs) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Keith Anderson)

The Kaua‘i Humane Society will be offering free veterinarian services from 9 to 11 a.m. daily starting Monday, April 23, at the Hanalei Colony Resort for the isolated Wainiha and Hā‘ena communities. They have also provided pet food to the distribution sites at Camp Naue and the Hanalei Colony Resort.

Additionally, a community meeting for Wainiha and Hā‘ena residents is scheduled for Sunday, April 22, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Hanalei Colony Resort. Teams from the Kaua‘i Police Department and the Kaua‘i Fire Department went door-to-door to notify all affected residents today.

Community meetings for other parts of the island will be scheduled and announced in the upcoming days. To request an ASL interpreter, materials in an alternate format, or other auxiliary aid support, or an interpreter for a language other than English, contact the Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency (KEMA) Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at (808) 241-1800 or kema@kauai.gov.

Teams went door-to-door through neighborhoods in Hanalei, Wainiha and Hā‘ena today to conduct damage assessments. Additional assessments in Hanalei, and to areas submitted via reports online, will be conducted Sunday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Local residents in Wainiha, Kauai, wait for relief supplies to be unloaded April 17. 25th Infantry Division Soldiers transported emergency vehicles, food, water, bedding, hygiene products and other supplies to affected areas, and transported people stranded to Camp Naue near Princeville, Kauai. 25th Inf. Div. aviation assets were tasked to support relief efforts after the state requested assistance through U.S. Pacific Command. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Keith Anderson, 25th Infantry Division Public Affairs) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Keith Anderson)

The county will continue to do assessments of storm-affected areas across the island. If you are a property owner or renter that suffered damages, visit www.kauai.gov or call KEMA at (808) 241-1800 for more information or to make your report.

The following information provides the current status updates on road closures and repairs, power outages, water services, refuse collection and debris management, donation information, shelters, schools, health advisories, and FAA restrictions.

Current Road Closures and Repairs:

• Kūhiō Highway, between Waikoko and Wainiha, remains closed as crews work to clear multiple landslides. Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) has announced it expects to open a one-lane route for emergency access only, to the Wainiha and Hā‘ena areas, on or before Monday, May 7, weather permitting.
• For residents affected by the Kahiliholo Road closure in Kīlauea, an emergency access road has been opened for local traffic only through the privately owned Common Ground and Wai Koa Guava Plantation properties.
• Kūhiō Highway at the Wailua River Bridge will have temporary lane closures nightly from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., from Sunday, April 22 through Friday, April 27, in order to remove debris from the river. All traffic will be routed onto the Bryan Baptiste Memorial (Makai) Bridge, where one lane in each direction of traffic will be maintained.
• Lei O Papa Road in Princeville remains closed due to a sinkhole.
• Weke Road in the vicinity of Black Pot Beach remains closed.
• HDOT continues to inspect bridges in the flood-affected areas on Kaua‘i. All inspected bridges were deemed safe by HDOT.

For updates on road conditions and closures, call (808) 241-1725. Do not call Kaua‘i police 911 unless you have an emergency. Damage to roads, highways, bridges and other infrastructure may be reported to the KEMA EOC at (808) 241-1800.

Power Outages: KIUC has no known outages at this time. If you have an outage, call (808) 246-4300.

Water Services: A water outage continues for customers located along the Makai-end of Weke Road, near Black Pot Beach in Hanalei, until further notice, due to damages to the main line. A trailer-mounted water tank with potable water is available at the intersection of Pilikoa Street and Weke Road.

Princeville Utilities Co., Inc. continues to ask its customers to conserve water until further notice.

Refuse Collection and Debris Management: Hanalei residents and businesses may utilize the following services:

• Small bins staged at Waioli Park to dispose waste, green waste, and metal.
• The Hanalei refuse transfer station is currently accepting all debris up to three feet in length. Furniture and beds longer than three feet in length are also being accepted.
• The Princeville refuse transfer station is extending its hours to 5:15 p.m. until further notice.
• In the Kōloa area, in the vicinity of Wailaau Road and Aloha Place, the County of Kaua‘i has provided two bins for general waste and two bins for other debris.

Donation Information: For those sheltering in place, Camp Naue and the Hanalei Colony Resort have been serving as distribution points for food, water and other provisions.
Those who wish to provide donations are asked to coordinate with KEMA at 241-1800. Accepted items are being are limited to non-perishables, bottled water, cleaning supplies, hygiene items, diapers, baby food and formula.

Donations are currently being accepted at the following locations:

• Food Bank of Hawai‘i – Kaua‘i Branch (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
• Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

Shelters: The Kīlauea Neighborhood Center will serve as a standby American Red Cross Shelter and will be opened as needed for flooding victims.

Schools: Hanalei Elementary School will reopen for all students, teachers and staff on Monday, April 23.

Department of Health Announcements:

• Medical Services at Hanalei Colony Resort: The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) announced that in conjunction with Hawai‘i Healthcare Emergency Management (HHEM) and KEMA, a medical team was deployed to Hā‘ena Friday morning to provide basic medical care and assessments in the isolated communities. This medical team will be stationed at the Hanalei Colony Resort in Hā‘ena, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., for several days. Residents and visitors are urged to continue to take precautions and ensure their safety in the days ahead.
• Stay out of brown water: Most of Kaua‘i remains under a brown water advisory. If the water is brown, stay out. The public is advised to stay out of floodwaters and storm water runoff due to possible overflowing cesspools, sewer, manholes, pesticides, animal fecal matter, dead animals, pathogens, chemicals, and associated flood debris. Do not allow children to play in floodwater areas. Continue to practice good personal hygiene by washing off with soap and clean water and washing hands before handling food. For the latest updates on brown water advisories, visit DOH’s Clean Water Branch website at http://health.hawaii.gov/cwb/.
• Practice good sanitation: Wash your hands often with soap and clean water to prevent spreading and contracting any illnesses, especially before handling and preparing food to avoid food contamination. If soap and clean water is unavailable, hand sanitizer may be used instead.
• Mosquito concerns: Mosquitoes can and will breed in areas of standing water. Apply mosquito repellent containing DEET to exposed skin and wear protective clothing, such as long sleeves, long pants, and covered shoes. If you’re located in an area that wasn’t as heavily impacted, get rid of standing water where you can. Department of Health vector control staff will be available to conduct mosquito abatement activities, including surveillance and treatment. Call Environmental Health Vector Control at (808) 241-3306 for more information.
• Food safety tips: Make sure to throw away spoiled or unrefrigerated food to prevent foodborne illnesses. Minimize the presence of flies and rodents by disposing of food in covered and sealed containers.
• Get rid of items collecting mold: Exposure to mold can have harmful health effects. Mold can begin to grow within 24 to 48 hours after flooding. Remove standing water as quickly as possible. Take steps to dry out your home and remove wet materials and objects. Items that cannot be cleaned and dried within 24 to 48 hours should be discarded. Make sure to follow label instructions and wear protective gear (i.e. gloves, face masks, etc.) when using cleaners and disinfectants during the cleanup process.

Additional Resource Links:

• ready.hawaii.gov
• Flood Damage Claims FAQ: http://dod.hawaii.gov/…/flood-damage-claims-frequently-ask…/
• Repairing Your Flooded Home: http://dod.hawaii.gov/…/resource-from-the-american-red-cro…/
• Hawai‘i Department of Health advises residents and visitors to avoid or limit exposure to flood waters: http://dod.hawaii.gov/…/hawaii-department-of-health-advise…/

FAA Temporary Flight Restriction: The Federal Aviation Agency has issued a Temporary Flight Restriction in the Hanalei and Wainiha area, particularly restricting all aircraft and UAS (drones).

Please avoid the area to help ensure the safety our first responders during their ongoing emergency operations.