Notice from Department of Emergency Management

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 6, 2009

Department of Emergency Management to open High Surf evacuation shelters for Leeward Coast and North Shore residents

Beginning at 2:00 PM this afternoon the Department of Emergency Management in coordination with the City Departments of Parks and Recreation and Transportation Services, American Red Cross, Oahu Transit Services – TheBus, Hawaiian Humane Society and H5 Hawaii will open three evacuation shelters on Oahu .

High surf evacuation shelters are being opened as a precaution due to the National Weather Service forecasting a period of extremely hazardous high surf that could pose a threat to Oahu ’s north and west facing shores beginning later tonight and continuing through Wednesday.

Residents going to a high surf evacuation shelter must bring all of their emergency supplies with them. Shelterees will need to provide at least two days worth of food, water, clothing, medical supplies and other personal items.

Shelters will be available to anyone needing refuge should the high surf become hazardous along the North Shore and Leeward Coast areas. Shelters will remain open until the high surf hazard has subsided.

North Shore residents in need of emergency shelter can go to:

· Liliuokalani Church

· Sunset Beach Community Center

o Pets may be brought to the shelter but they must be on leashes or in pet carriers or cages and shelterees will be responsible for assisting in their care. Food, water and cleaning supplies must be provided by pet owners.

Leeward Coast residents in need of emergency shelter can go to:

· Waianae District Park

o Pets may be brought to the shelter but they must be on leashes or in pet carriers or cages and shelterees will be responsible for assisting in their care. Food, water and cleaning supplies must be provided by pet owners.

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Leeward Coast residents needing transportation assistance to the shelter should look for two evacuation shuttle busses that will begin roaming a circuit of Farrington Highway from Yokohama Bay to Nanakuli Beach Park from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM this afternoon.

Designated shuttle busses will display the word “EVACUATION”. The shuttle service is being provided free of charge and individuals requiring transport need only flag down the bus anywhere along the route. The following evacuation shuttle guidelines will apply:

· Individuals can only bring what they can carry in one (1) trip onto the evacuation shuttle

· Should there be more belongings than can fit on the evacuation shuttle H5 Hawaii will be contacted to provide assistance

· Pets may be brought on board the evacuation shuttle but they must be on leashes or in pet carriers or cages

The City’s Emergency Operating Center located in the Frank F. Fasi Municipal Building has been activated and will remain operational throughout the high surf event.

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Contact:

John M. Cummings III

Public Information Officer

Department of Emergency Management

(808) 723-8957 Office

(808) 499-7937 Cell