(BIVN) – National Park Service officials, concerned over the next potential tropical cyclone, will be closing Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on Friday.
The entire park, including the Kahuku Unit, will temporarily close on August 21 by 5 p.m. ahead of a developing storm system that could again bring torrential rainfall and high winds to Hawaiʻi Island as early as Saturday.
The park was hit hard by Hurricane Lala, and is still without power, internet or phone service.
The park could be closed during the next episodic eruption at the summit of Kīlauea, if the event occurs within its most recent forecasted window; between Saturday, August 22 and Wednesday, August 26.
In its daily update, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory wrote:
WARNING: NWS forecasts the possible arrival of another tropical storm system this weekend with potential torrential rains. Overlap with an eruption may create extreme conditions not suitable for viewing. Watch for closures. All of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, including USGS HVO facilities, remain without power since Hurricane Lala.
“In the event of an eruption and storm overlap, in a coordinated effort with the County of Hawaiʻi to prioritize safety and reduce non-essential traffic on island roadways, Highway 11 will only be open to area residents between the park entrance and Kaʻū,” the National Park Service stated.
From the NPS:
Overnight guests of Kilauea Military Camp and Volcano House with existing reservations will be allowed park access but will be required to shelter in place once the closure is enacted.
Due to the ongoing power and communications outage, emergency services in the park are limited and the park’s air quality monitoring system is down. All park programs are canceled during the storm safety closure.
