Tuesday, May 31, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Release No. 2022-026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
HONOLULU<\/strong> \u2014 The forecast for the 2022 Central Pacific hurricane season calls for fewer tropical storms than average, but the Hawai’i Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) reminds residents and visitors that it only takes one storm<\/strong> to impact lives, property, infrastructure, and the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Storms don\u02bbt need to land a direct hit to the islands or reach hurricane strength to cause havoc; even a near-miss by a strong storm can put communities in jeopardy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Don\u02bbt wait. Take small steps now to prepare yourself and your family,” said Luke Meyers Administrator of the HI-EMA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Central Pacific Hurricane Center in Honolulu has predicted 2-to-4 tropical storms for the season, which starts June 1 and runs through Nov. 30. It\u2019s the third year in a row with a forecast for a below-average number of storms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But a warming climate provides more energy to drive weather systems, allowing for bigger storms, more rain, and stronger winds. Even storms weaker than a hurricane, such as the “Kona low” in December 2021, can bring significant flooding, landslides, and damage from high winds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Past incidents teach us how important it is to get ready during blue skies, before a storm is bearing down on Hawai\u2018i,” Meyers said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This year marks the 40th anniversary of Hurricane Iwa and the 30th anniversary of Hurricane Iniki, two of the most severe storms to ever affect Hawai\u02bbi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n More recently, Hawai\u02bbi felt the effects of Hurricane Lane in 2018, which brought torrential rain, flooding, landslides and strong winds. The state also had near misses with Hurricane Douglas (the closest to O\u02bbahu in modern history) in 2020 and Tropical Storm Linda in 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While the HI-EMA prepares for the effects of a hurricane on critical systems, it is also vital that residents and visitors do what they can to increase their own ability to cope with a storm. When more families and communities are resilient, emergency responders can focus on the greatest needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “The more resilient we become as a state, the quicker we will be able to bounce back and recover from a disaster,” Meyers said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A more resilient Hawai\u02bbi starts with six simple actions that have proven to help residents be better prepared before, during and after a storm:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n