#Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency

The outreach campaign will start Friday, April 24, with visits to Nā‘ālehu and Pāhala to answer questions and assist with applications for aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Tephra is volcanic debris caused by the eruption of Kīlauea.

The monthly test of the all-hazard Statewide Outdoor Warning Siren System is scheduled for Wednesday at 11:45 a.m.

The Hawaiʻi Agricultural Foundation and the Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau Federation have launched a coordinated relief effort to support farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers affected by the severe weather, flooding and prolonged heavy rains.

National Weather Service meteorologist Matt Foster said the next Kona low system will start developing Thursday afternoon on the Big Island with potential flooding by Thursday night.

The flash flood warning for Puna and Ka‘ū was again extended and is now in effect until 8 a.m. today (March 14) as heavy rainfall continues to impact both districts, falling at 1 to 2 inches per hour along the island’s southeast slopes.

The National Weather Service Honolulu forecast office reports because Episode 43 of lava fountaining at Kīlauea volcano ended the threat for ashfall dissipated.

While the fire continues to burn, Mana Road remains closed, but Daniel K. Inouye Highway (Saddle Road) still is open.

Hawaiʻi Island could see storm-driven high surf starting as early as Sunday, and strong winds and heavy rain starting as early as Monday morning.

Representatives from Hawaiʻi County agencies, businesses and organizations will share information and resources to help residents prepare for emergencies and keep their homes and communities safe.

The evaucation drill, also known as Hulu Holoholo, will take place on Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m.

Kahalu‘u and Kohana‘iki Beach Parks remain closed for debris cleanup following high surf over the weekend.

Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency officials also noted in their announcement that a test of the live audio broadcast segment of the Emergency Alert System will accompany the sounding test of the sirens at roughly the same time, in cooperation with the Hawai‘i broadcast industry.

The tremor was not large enough to cause a tsunami for the Big Island, according to the Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency.

While Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory have worked well together responding to volcanic unrest and eruptions for decades, the new interagency plan puts their practices down on paper.

The siren test will be coordinated with a test of the Live Audio Broadcast segment of the Emergency Alert System.

The power company will host a free Community Resilience Fair to discuss wildfire safety.

2024 marks 78 years since the deadly 1946 Aleutian Islands earthquake that generated deadly tsunami waves over 50 feet high in Hilo.

According to the utility company, this is an usual situation as the large generators are experiencing mechanical problems resulting in a reduced output.

This relationship, between volcano observatories and their emergency managers, was highlighted at the recent “Cities on Volcanoes” meeting in Antigua, Guatemala.