After withstanding Hurricane Iselle, which caused widespread destruction to parts of Hawaiʻi Island, and now bracing for potential impacts from Tropical Storm Ana, homeowners in Hawaiʻi 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 Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program, provides detailed information on how to prepare your home 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.
Handbook updated with tips learned from Hurricane Iselle
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.
“Iselle taught us that tropical storms can cause considerable damage,” said Shelly Kunishige, spokesperson for the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency. “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.”
Dennis Hwang, lead author of the handbook, added “Families should know where they will stay, either a hurricane evacuation shelter, their house if it is strong and outside high risk flood zones, or a friends or relatives 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.”
Handbook available online
Due to an overwhelming response from the public, all printed copies of the handbook have been distributed. It is available for free online and can be downloaded from the University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program bookstore.
http://seagrant.soest.hawaii.edu/homeowners-handbook-prepare-natural-hazards
Funding was made available to re-print the updated handbook due to the generous support from the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency Building Science Branch, as well as many other partners.
The printed copies should be available in less than a month. Visit the University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program website for the latest updates and announcements: http://seagrant.soest.hawaii.edu, or like them on Facebook to receive the most up-to-date information.
