StarBulletin.com

Lingle: Felicia is 'no cause for alarm' but a good reason to prepare


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POSTED: Thursday, August 06, 2009

Gov. Linda Lingle said today that while Hurricane Felicia presents “no cause for alarm,” residents should keep track of the storm and prepare their emergency kits.

Category 3 Hurricane Felicia, with 125 mph sustained winds, is less than 1,500 miles away from the islands and won’t enter the Central Pacific until the weekend, according to forecasts. The storm is expected to be a tropical storm when it approaches the Big Island early next week.

“My Cabinet and I have been receiving regular updates, including one today during a Cabinet meeting, from State Civil Defense and the National Weather Service’s Central Pacific Hurricane Center on Hurricane Felicia and Tropical Storm Enrique. At this time, there is no cause for alarm, but it is important for residents and businesses to remain vigilant and to monitor the path of these storm systems, while taking steps to prepare,” Lingle said in a written statement.

 She advised residents to:

>> “Prepare a family disaster plan, which should be discussed in detail with every family member.”

>> Prepare a disaster supply kit with enough food and water for three to seven days. The emergency kit should also include medicine, toiletries, clothes, blankets, a radio, a flashlight, spare batteries and pet supplies in case an evacuation is necessary.

>> Locate the nearest emergency shelter. A complete list of shelters statewide, including those designated for individuals with special health needs as well as for pets, can be found on  at http://www.scd.hawaii.gov.