Shaka Doug
Contributor
Aloha Ohana,
Please be advised that Hurricane Felicia, presently a Category 4 Hurricane, is headed our direction and could make landfall as soon as Monday or Tuesday here in the eastern Hawaiian region. Of course, it's too soon to tell and anything could happen. She could fizzle out or miss us entirely. However, I would suggest watching this storm closely for the next few days to see what is developing. I have been through a Cat 5 Hurricane - Hurricane Hugo St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, 1989 and have seen firsthand what these storms can do. Believe me, it's not pretty and the aftermath is almost worse than the storm itself.
To keep this topic in accordance with TOS, I'd like to focus on how this storm will affect SCUBA Diving in Hawaii.
I'd like to know "How are the dive shops preparing for this storm?"
What are you doing with your boats?
Are you advising your clients at this point?
What will you do if the storm is a direct hit and we have no diving for weeks afterwards?
Have you been through a major hurricane before?
Do you have storm insurance for loss of business? (Is that even available?)
I am interested in the potential changes in our reef systems and would certainly advise taking some "Before Felicia" pictures in the next couple of days in case we have to take "after Felicia" pics next Tuesday! (This includes Topside views as well) This was an unreal visual record for me when I went through Hugo. Our dive shop was literally wiped right off the foundation and swept into the sea. There was a stain on the cement from where it had been for at least 10 years before. One of our boats was stripped off it's mooring and washed aground and had to be cut into little pieces with torches after it was smashed beyond repair. It was almost unrecognizable!!
I'm not trying to scare anyone nor am I crying that the sky is falling. But we only have a couple of days to see what happens. If the **** hits the fan you better not get in the way and you better be ready. Following the trajectory shown below makes me realize that if this storm does roll through where they say it will our diving on south Maui and Kona will be different (to say the very least) after next week. After Hugo there was no tourism and all of my diving consisted of recovering sunken boats. (We had a hundred times as many boats there as compared to Maui though....) It took us weeks to raise them and then months to sort through and dispose of them. It was dirty diving and no where near as fun as leading reef tours!
Prepare by doing the following:
Fuel up all your vehicles now so you can avoid the rush and potential gasoline shortage. Fill your propane tanks too. Round up your candles, buy more.
Stock up on water, dry food, canned food. Do not buy frozen food, we could be without electricity for several days or longer (Hurricane Hugo left me without power for over three months!!!!)
Fill your prescription medications now.
Cut back trees, dead limbs, bushes in and around your property so they will not break off and destroy other things.
Make sure you have batteries, flashlights, First Aid Kits, radio, bug repellent (the mosquitos can be fierce after a tropical storm!), rain gear, work gloves, shoes, chainsaws, and other tools to help with post storm clean-up.
Prepare to board up or tape windows; bring all outdoor furniture, yard stuff, toys, inside.
Have a plan on where to meet friends and family after storm is over. Cell phones, telephones may be unreliable.
Check on neighbors, elderly to see if they are prepared. Help if necessary.
Spread the word to help others be aware of the dangers and help them prepare for the worst.
As the storm gets closer the 'pre-panic' sets in and everyone will be scrambling to do all of this stuff at the last minute. Prepare ahead of time so you will be able to take care of you and your family and not waste precious time waiting in line at a store or gas station that is about to run out of everything!
Here's the most recent image I could get of the forecast tracking map:
I got this info from the NOAA site:
Discuss the type of hazards that could affect your family. Know your home's vulnerability to storm surge, flooding and wind.
Locate a safe room or the safest areas in your home for each hurricane hazard. In certain circumstances the safest areas may not be your home but within your community.
Determine escape routes from your home and places to meet. These should be measured in tens of miles rather than hundreds of miles.
Have an out-of-state friend as a family contact, so all your family members have a single point of contact.
Make a plan now for what to do with your pets if you need to evacuate.
Post emergency telephone numbers by your phones and make sure your children know how and when to call 911.
Check your insurance coverage - flood damage is not usually covered by homeowners insurance.
Stock non-perishable emergency supplies and a Disaster Supply Kit.
Use a NOAA weather radio. Remember to replace its battery every 6 months, as you do with your smoke detectors.
Take First Aid, CPR and disaster preparedness classes.
__________________________________________________________________
Water - at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3 to 7 days
Food - at least enough for 3 to 7 days
non-perishable packaged or canned food / juices
foods for infants or the elderly
snack foods
non-electric can opener
cooking tools / fuel
paper plates / plastic utensils
Blankets / Pillows, etc.
Clothing - seasonal / rain gear/ sturdy shoes
First Aid Kit / Medicines / Prescription Drugs
Special Items - for babies and the elderly
Toiletries / Hygiene items / Moisture wipes
Flashlight / Batteries
Radio - Battery operated and NOAA weather radio
Telephones - Fully charged cell phone with extra battery and a traditional (not cordless) telephone set
Cash (with some small bills) and Credit Cards - Banks and ATMs may not be available for extended periods
Keys
Toys, Books and Games
Important documents - in a waterproof container or watertight resealable plastic bag
insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc.
Tools - keep a set with you during the storm
Vehicle fuel tanks filled
Pet care items
proper identification / immunization records / medications
ample supply of food and water
a carrier or cage
muzzle and leash
I hope you all take heed. I hope the storm misses us. If so, consider this a practice run and count your blessings.
For more info click this link:
National Hurricane Preparedness Week
Please be advised that Hurricane Felicia, presently a Category 4 Hurricane, is headed our direction and could make landfall as soon as Monday or Tuesday here in the eastern Hawaiian region. Of course, it's too soon to tell and anything could happen. She could fizzle out or miss us entirely. However, I would suggest watching this storm closely for the next few days to see what is developing. I have been through a Cat 5 Hurricane - Hurricane Hugo St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, 1989 and have seen firsthand what these storms can do. Believe me, it's not pretty and the aftermath is almost worse than the storm itself.
To keep this topic in accordance with TOS, I'd like to focus on how this storm will affect SCUBA Diving in Hawaii.
I'd like to know "How are the dive shops preparing for this storm?"
What are you doing with your boats?
Are you advising your clients at this point?
What will you do if the storm is a direct hit and we have no diving for weeks afterwards?
Have you been through a major hurricane before?
Do you have storm insurance for loss of business? (Is that even available?)
I am interested in the potential changes in our reef systems and would certainly advise taking some "Before Felicia" pictures in the next couple of days in case we have to take "after Felicia" pics next Tuesday! (This includes Topside views as well) This was an unreal visual record for me when I went through Hugo. Our dive shop was literally wiped right off the foundation and swept into the sea. There was a stain on the cement from where it had been for at least 10 years before. One of our boats was stripped off it's mooring and washed aground and had to be cut into little pieces with torches after it was smashed beyond repair. It was almost unrecognizable!!
I'm not trying to scare anyone nor am I crying that the sky is falling. But we only have a couple of days to see what happens. If the **** hits the fan you better not get in the way and you better be ready. Following the trajectory shown below makes me realize that if this storm does roll through where they say it will our diving on south Maui and Kona will be different (to say the very least) after next week. After Hugo there was no tourism and all of my diving consisted of recovering sunken boats. (We had a hundred times as many boats there as compared to Maui though....) It took us weeks to raise them and then months to sort through and dispose of them. It was dirty diving and no where near as fun as leading reef tours!
Prepare by doing the following:
Fuel up all your vehicles now so you can avoid the rush and potential gasoline shortage. Fill your propane tanks too. Round up your candles, buy more.
Stock up on water, dry food, canned food. Do not buy frozen food, we could be without electricity for several days or longer (Hurricane Hugo left me without power for over three months!!!!)
Fill your prescription medications now.
Cut back trees, dead limbs, bushes in and around your property so they will not break off and destroy other things.
Make sure you have batteries, flashlights, First Aid Kits, radio, bug repellent (the mosquitos can be fierce after a tropical storm!), rain gear, work gloves, shoes, chainsaws, and other tools to help with post storm clean-up.
Prepare to board up or tape windows; bring all outdoor furniture, yard stuff, toys, inside.
Have a plan on where to meet friends and family after storm is over. Cell phones, telephones may be unreliable.
Check on neighbors, elderly to see if they are prepared. Help if necessary.
Spread the word to help others be aware of the dangers and help them prepare for the worst.
As the storm gets closer the 'pre-panic' sets in and everyone will be scrambling to do all of this stuff at the last minute. Prepare ahead of time so you will be able to take care of you and your family and not waste precious time waiting in line at a store or gas station that is about to run out of everything!
Here's the most recent image I could get of the forecast tracking map:
I got this info from the NOAA site:
Discuss the type of hazards that could affect your family. Know your home's vulnerability to storm surge, flooding and wind.
Locate a safe room or the safest areas in your home for each hurricane hazard. In certain circumstances the safest areas may not be your home but within your community.
Determine escape routes from your home and places to meet. These should be measured in tens of miles rather than hundreds of miles.
Have an out-of-state friend as a family contact, so all your family members have a single point of contact.
Make a plan now for what to do with your pets if you need to evacuate.
Post emergency telephone numbers by your phones and make sure your children know how and when to call 911.
Check your insurance coverage - flood damage is not usually covered by homeowners insurance.
Stock non-perishable emergency supplies and a Disaster Supply Kit.
Use a NOAA weather radio. Remember to replace its battery every 6 months, as you do with your smoke detectors.
Take First Aid, CPR and disaster preparedness classes.
__________________________________________________________________
Water - at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3 to 7 days
Food - at least enough for 3 to 7 days
non-perishable packaged or canned food / juices
foods for infants or the elderly
snack foods
non-electric can opener
cooking tools / fuel
paper plates / plastic utensils
Blankets / Pillows, etc.
Clothing - seasonal / rain gear/ sturdy shoes
First Aid Kit / Medicines / Prescription Drugs
Special Items - for babies and the elderly
Toiletries / Hygiene items / Moisture wipes
Flashlight / Batteries
Radio - Battery operated and NOAA weather radio
Telephones - Fully charged cell phone with extra battery and a traditional (not cordless) telephone set
Cash (with some small bills) and Credit Cards - Banks and ATMs may not be available for extended periods
Keys
Toys, Books and Games
Important documents - in a waterproof container or watertight resealable plastic bag
insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc.
Tools - keep a set with you during the storm
Vehicle fuel tanks filled
Pet care items
proper identification / immunization records / medications
ample supply of food and water
a carrier or cage
muzzle and leash
I hope you all take heed. I hope the storm misses us. If so, consider this a practice run and count your blessings.
For more info click this link:
National Hurricane Preparedness Week
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