Hurricane Preparedness

Due to the Hawaiian Islands’ location in the Pacific Ocean, hurricanes and tropical storms commonly pass very close to Laie and the North Shore. Hurricanes draw strength from the warm ocean water south of the islands and travel northward before weakening.

Hurricane season in the Central Pacific Ocean is from June 1 to November 30, though hurricanes can occur at any time of the year. Because of this, it is vital that students, university ohana, and community members prepare in advance.

Before a Hurricane

Thanks to modern technology and Hawaii’s robust local warning systems, residents will usually have ample notice and time to prepare before a hurricane approaches landfall.

Hurricane Advisories, Watches, and Warnings

The National Weather Service (NWS) will issue advisories, watches, and warnings when a storm appears to be approaching landfall in Hawaii. Safety & Risk Management closely monitors NWS publications and keeps informed about approaching hurricanes. View live updates from the National Hurricane Center.

Advisories indicate that a storm is possible within 72 hours. When an advisory is issued, it's a great time to make sure emergency supplies are ready and coordinate a plan.

Watches indicate potential storm landfall within 48 hours. Residents should take this time to prepare their dwellings for the storm by placing important documents and valuables in safe areas. There may be opportunities to volunteer to prepare sandbags and other areas as needed.

Warnings indicate that a storm is less than 36 hours away. Residents should complete storm preparation for sheltering in place and ensure that go-bags are stocked and ready for any emergency. Residents should heed any evacuation orders issued by the university or the state and immediately leave a threatened area if directed by local officials or through BYUH Alerts.

University Emergency Communication

The university will provide updates during a hurricane. Make sure you are signed up for BYUH Alerts (Everbridge) to receive notifications and emails.

Sign Up for BYUH Alerts Text Messages

Take Action and Prepare

Preparation can be done at any time, not just when an advisory is issued. Recommended steps include:

1. Create an individual or family plan.
   
   1. Have a family or friend contact list.
   2. Know where to go during a hurricane evacuation.
   3. Understand what to do during a hurricane (see During a Hurricane below).
2. Prepare an emergency kit or go bag. Include items such as:
   
   1. Important documents such as your passport.
   2. Extra food and water.
   3. Power banks and charging cords.
3. Sign up for BYUH Alerts and HNL Info notifications.
4. Know the available resources and sign up to receive updates. National, state, and county resources are available at the bottom of this page.

A hurricane watch signals that it’s time to finalize preparations, from securing your home to checking that emergency supplies are stocked.

During a Hurricane

In the event of a hurricane, residents should stay indoors and shelter in place unless instructed to evacuate by the university, by local authorities, or if the area becomes unsafe. Stay away from windows and move to a higher floor if storm surge persists.

Listen to alerts issued on the radio and for areas where shelters are open, just in case individuals or families need to evacuate.

Hale (Single Student Housing) and TVA Residents

Students should shelter in place and pay attention to BYUH Alerts and announcements. Be prepared to evacuate to higher floors should a storm surge reach the campus. Housing Operations will advise students on when to move to upper levels.

Students Residing Off-Campus

The communities closest to the ocean are at the highest risk for storm surge. Off-campus residents should coordinate with their landlords to place sandbags and reinforce windows. They may also have the option to evacuate to designated on-campus buildings or emergency shelters.

BYU–Hawaii Faculty and Staff

Community members should stay informed and follow instructions from state and local emergency agencies. Residents are advised to secure their homes by protecting windows, bringing in outdoor items, and preparing sandbags if in a low-lying area. Residents should shelter inside away from windows and doors if possible. To determine whether evacuation is needed, the City and County of Honolulu provides evacuation and risk guidance based on the location and kind of structure a home is. Residents should be prepared to evacuate if needed.

Shelters

Shelters are organized by HI-EMA via Hawaii American Red Cross. At the direction and discretion of BYU–Hawaii President’s Council, the university may open up a shelter. Residents should have an emergency kit prepared. Refer to BYUH Alerts regularly for updates on the hurricane and other evacuation sites.

Hurricane Conditions

Anticipate these things to happen during a hurricane:

Dangerous Winds

Winds ranging from 64 to 137 knots (74-150 mph) can propel debris at dangerously high speeds, posing a risk to life and property. Sheltering indoors and away from glass windows is recommended.

Power Outages

Strong winds can uproot power lines, cutting off electricity to the community. This could take days or weeks to be fixed, depending on the severity of damages elsewhere on the island. Most of the sewage in Laie is electrically pumped, so refrain from using toilets unless necessary.

Storm Surge

Very large ocean waves often accompany a storm. These have been known to travel up to 800 meters inland. Those living on ground floors in low-lying areas may need to evacuate to higher floors.

Flash Flooding

Hurricanes bring heavy rainfall, which could overwhelm local drainage fields and mix with storm surge to flood the town. Areas situated on low ground and close to drainage are most susceptible.

After a Hurricane

1. Assess the damage in your home and outside.
2. Be aware of hazards such as lose cables or fallen trees.
3. Continue to shelter in place until advised it is safe to walk outside.