Updated Homeowner's Handbook to Prepare for Natural Hazards now available

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Contact:
Cindy Knapman, (808) 956-7410
Communications Leader, Sea Grant
Posted: Oct 16, 2014

After withstanding Hurricane Iselle that caused widespread destruction to parts of Hawai‘i Island, and now bracing for potential impacts from Tropical Storm Ana, homeowners in Hawai‘i are all too familiar with the importance of preparing their homes prior to a storm hitting our shores.

The Homeowner's Handbook to Prepare for Natural Hazards, published by the University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program, provides detailed information on how to prepare homes for a hurricane and other natural hazards including earthquakes, tsunamis and floods. It was recently updated to include four new appendices that address installing storm panel screws, reroofing, securing photovoltaic systems, and ways to get involved with community resilience efforts.

In addition, Hurricane Iselle information has been added, including lessons learned regarding emergency supplies, evacuation planning, and wind damage on roofs from less than hurricane strength winds.

Said Shelly Kunishige, spokesperson for the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, "Iselle taught us that tropical storms can cause considerable damage. The public should review their plans and prepare emergency supplies. The handbook will help people with guidance on measures to protect their lives and property."

Added Dennis Hwang, lead author of the handbook, "Families should know where they will stay, whether at a hurricane evacuation shelter, a house if it is strong and outside high-risk flood zones, or at a friend's or relative's house that meets these criteria.  If measures have been created to protect the house, such as shutters, a partial deployment could begin as Ana is monitored so that there is ample time to finish well before strong winds that may arrive."

Due to an overwhelming response from the public, all printed copies of the handbook have been distributed. It is available for free online and may be downloaded from the University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program bookstore at http://seagrant.soest.hawaii.edu/homeowners-handbook-prepare-natural-hazards.

Thanks to generous support from the State of Hawaii Department of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency Building Science Branch, as well as many other partners, funding was made available to reprint the updated handbook. The printed copies should be available in less than a month. Visit the University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program website for the latest updates and announcements at http://seagrant.soest.hawaii.edu, or like us on Facebook: facebook.com/UHSeaGrant to receive the most up-to-date information.

The University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program is part of the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s prestigious School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology. It supports an innovative program of research, education and extension services directed to the improved understanding and stewardship of coastal and marine resources of the state, region and nation. Science serving Hawai‘i and the Pacific for over 45 years.

For more information, visit: http://seagrant.soest.hawaii.edu