Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency

While public hurricane/tropical cyclone/storm evacuation shelters offer some protection from high winds and flying debris, they are intended to be a last resort for residents and visitors without safer options to use at their own risk. In almost all cases, the identified evacuation shelters HAVE NOT been designed or hardened for winds greater than a severe tropical storm.  These shelters are, however, a safer option than remaining in areas prone to flooding or storm surge inundation, on exposed ridge lines or in older homes with wood frames or single wall construction.  Whenever possible, the public should plan to shelter in place or with family or friends in homes outside of these hazard areas that were designed, built or renovated to code after the dates below.

• Kaua’i County:  Plans dated 1992 or later; built 1993 or after
• City and County of Honolulu:  Plans dated 1994 or later; built 1995 or after
• Maui County:  Plans dated 1994 or later; built 1995 or after
• Hawai’i County:  Plans dated 1993 or later; built 1994 or after

Home owners are also encouraged to retrofit their homes to make them less likely to be damaged and safer for sheltering.  Refer to the Homeowner’s Handbook to Prepare for Natural Hazards for more information.