(BIVN) – Several shelter locations will open at 8 p.m. Saturday evening, ahead of the heavy rain expected from Tropical Storm Moke, passing to the south of Hawaiʻi island.
Shelters are already open at Nāʻālehu Elementary School gym and Robert N. Herkes Gym in Pāhala. The locations are operating with generator power.
Hot showers are available at Robert N. Herkes Gym, the County says. Bring your own towels and hygiene products.
Shelter locations:
- Nāʻālehu Elementary School gym, 95-5545 Mamalahoa Highway, Nāʻālehu.
- Robert N. Herkes Gym, 96-1219 Kamani St., Pāhala.
- Pāhoa Senior Center, 15-3016 Kauhale St., Pāhoa
- Keaʻau Armory, 16-512 Volcano Road, Keaʻau.
- Puʻuʻeo Community Center, 145 Wainaku St., Hilo.
- Sgt. Rodney J.T. Yano Memorial Hall, 82-6156 Mamalahoa Highway, Captain Cook.
“Bring your own supplies, including food, water, sleeping bags, and any necessary medicine,” the County stated. “Shelters are pet friendly. Pets must be kept in a carrier.”
As of 11 a.m. Saturday, Moke was 425 miles southeast of Hilo, moving west northwest at 12 mph. Maximum sustained winds remain near 50 mph (85 km/h) with higher gusts. Moke is not expected to get much stronger than it is now, and the storm is forecast to pass south of the Big Island on Sunday.
The Central Pacific Hurricane Center is still warning Hawaiʻi island could see rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches, with maximum amounts of 15 inches. A Flood Watch is in effect, and there could be “life-threatening flooding and mudslides for the windward and southeast Big Island, especially in steep terrain and over areas that were affected recently by Lala,” the Center stated.
“Our County crews remain ready to respond, and we ask our residents to remain vigilant and be prepared for heavy rainfall and gusty winds as Tropical Storm Moke passes us to the south,” said Mayor Kimo Alameda in a news release. “The ground remains saturated, so be aware it may not take much rain to cause more flooding. We know residents are fatigued and still recovering from Hurricane Lala, and we want to thank everyone for doing their part to keep themselves and their neighbors safe.”
The County reports the following bus routes will be cancelled on Sunday:
- Routes 2, 10, 12 and 90.
- Route 75 @ 6:15 a.m. (southbound to Kona)
- Route 75 @ 3:03 p.m. (northbound to Kapaʻau).
“Should Kamehameha Avenue flooding occur, the Hilo Park & Ride will be moved to the Kuawa Park parking lot,” the County stated. “All other fixed route services and trip times are scheduled to operate as regularly scheduled; however, due to the unknown effects of weather conditions, transportation delays, re-routing, and cancellations may occur at a moment’s notice.”
Sandbags can be requested by contacting the Department of Public Works at dpwhwy@hawaiicounty.gov or 808-961-8349. For after-hours requests, contact Civil Defense at 808-935-0031.
