Flooding Preparedness
Be Prepared
La’ie and the surrounding communities receive heavy rainfall during the winter months, particularly from the months of November through March. Occasionally, BYU–Hawaii and the surrounding community experience moderate to severe flooding. This can be a safety and health hazard to residents and can cause loss or damage of property.
Preparing for a flood:
- Sign up for Everbridge Alerts to stay informed on possible emergencies.
- Have an Emergency Kit with clean water and dry clothes.
- Place important documents in a sealable plastic bag to prevent them from getting wet.
- Unplug all household electronics on lower floors.
- Volunteer to help place sandbags when needed.
During a flood:
- Avoid walking or driving through floodwaters, especially if the water is actively moving.
- Shelter in place
- Move to higher floors of your building if flooding worsens.
- Flood will likely be followed by a power outage that could last several days. Expect to be cut off from other areas for some time.
Advisories, Watches, and Warnings
Flood Advisory
A flood advisory is issued when a weather event that may cause minor issues is expected to happen. It is also issued when flooding is not expected to be severe enough for a warning. However, it may cause significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, it could lead to situations that may threaten life and/or property.
Flood Watch
A flood watch is issued when conditions suggest a hazardous weather event might happen. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible.
Flood Warning
A flood warning is issued when flooding is imminent or already happening. Roads may be flooded. Move to higher ground if instructed by Everbridge alerts or local officials. Never drive through flooded roads.
Flash Flood Warning
A flash flood is a sudden violent flood that can take from minutes to hours to develop. It is even possible to experience a flash flood in areas not immediately receiving rain.
A flash flood warning is issued when a flash flood is imminent or occurring. If you are in a flood prone area, move immediately to high ground.
High Risk Areas
On-Campus
- Front Fields
- Joseph F. Smith Library (JFS)
- Teacher Education Building (TEB)
- Stake Center (STC)
- Lorenzo Snow Building (LSB) surrounding areas
Off-Campus
- Moana Street
- Iosepa Street
- Naniloa Loop
- Sam’s Store/ Hukilau Café area
- Laie Park
PCC
- Various Locations
Common Road Closures Due to Flooding/Landslides
Kamehameha (Kam) Hwy:
- At Waikane Stream Bridge (by Waiahole Poi Factory)
- At Ka’a’awa Valley (by Kualoa Beach)
- At Hau’ula Bridge (by North Shore Tacos)
- At La’ie Bridge (by Pounders Beach Park)
- Near Kawela Bay
- Near Sunset Beach Elementary/ Ehukai Beach Park
- At Waimea Bay