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Hurricanes

UH Hilo Home > Faculty & Staff > Vice Chancellor for Administrative Affairs > Emergency Operations Plan > Appendix C: Actions for Specific Emergencies

The Central Pacific Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. Although the greatest likelihood for hurricanes is during the hurricane season, Central Pacific Hurricane Center continually monitors for the threat of tropical systems throughout the year. The National Weather Service Forecast Office in Honolulu activates the CPHC when: (1) a tropical cyclone moves into the Central Pacific from the Eastern Pacific, (2) a tropical cyclone forms in the Central Pacific, or (3) a tropical cyclone moves into the Central Pacific from the West.

Winds that exceed 74 miles per hour are a Hurricane. When a tropical depression forms, the National Weather Service begins to issue a series of advisories, which include watches and warnings, based on the strength and position of the approaching storm. See Attachment 2 Informational Brochure – Hurricanes.

Beginning in the 2009 Hurricane season, the lead times for issuing watches and warnings have been increased to allow agencies and individuals as much advanced notice as possible.

Now, a Hurricane Watch is issued by the National Weather Service when there is a threat of a Hurricane within 48 hours. Preliminary precautions should be taken.

And a Hurricane Warning is now issued by the National Weather Service when sustained winds of 74 MPH or more are expected in a specified area in 36 hours or less. Actions for protection of life and property should begin immediately when the warning is issued.

With the advance warning systems through our Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Office, we should have sufficient time to prepare ourselves to minimize and/or eliminate injury or death and to protect our University through preventive maintenance and precautions before and when the Hurricane arrives.

Actions to be taken in preparation to a Hurricane Watch

  1. The University will automatically proceed to Emergency Status.
  2. Emergency Operations Plan Officers shall immediately be contacted and made aware of the situation. If required, they shall report to the Emergency Operations Center. The Auxiliary Services personnel shall assist in securing the campus by following the instructions in Severe Windstorms, if time and conditions permit (i.e. taping and boarding of glass windows & doors, etc.). The Emergency Operations Plan Officers shall assist Auxiliary Services personnel in any way, if needed.
  3. The Emergency Operations Center will assist in preparing the Evacuation Centers for those who may need to evacuate to these centers (see Appendix E: Civil Defense Designated Hurricane Evacuation Centers on Campus for buildings approved by the Hawai‘i County Civil Defense). The Emergency Operations Center will also serve as liaison with the Hawai‘i County Civil Defense to notify the public of these centers.
  4. The Chancellor or Designee will evaluate current information and make a determination whether to suspend and close campus upon notification of a Hurricane Watch. All University of Hawai‘i at Hilo and Hawai‘i Community College functions that are scheduled within this watch phase should be evaluated and postponed or cancelled as needed. Dormitory students shall be guided by instructions from the Housing Officer.
  5. The Field Control Officer shall insure that emergency equipment is readily available (i.e. electrical generators, emergency lighting, AM/FM radios, alternate communication systems).
  6. The Housing & Food Services Officer shall insure and coordinate with the contracted Service Provider that emergency provisions (food and water) for approximately two hundred fifty (250) people are available for a minimum of three (3) days.
  7. The Public Information Officer and the Webmaster shall provide notifications via email and website to faculty, staff, and students regarding the status of University operations. Updates shall be provided at 6 AM, 12 noon, and 6 PM (or more often as required).

Actions to be taken in preparation to a Hurricane Warning

  1. Everyone shall evacuate the campus unless seeking shelter in the designated Evacuation Centers. Dormitory students shall evacuate to locations designated by the Housing Officer (i.e. specified dorms that are Hurricane proof, Evacuation Centers).
  2. If for some reason certain individuals are unable to evacuate the campus and the Hurricane arrives, follow the instructions in Severe Windstorms: High winds.

Actions to be taken after the Hurricane subsides

  1. After the Hurricane subsides and the all clear signal is given either by notification of phone or radio from the Hawai‘i County Civil Defense, all classes shall be suspended and the campus shall remain closed until further notice.
  2. When the all clear signal is given, the Emergency Operations Plan Officers shall automatically report to the Emergency Operations Center, assuming roads are clear, their families are safe and their property secured. The EOP Officers shall assist by following the instructions in Severe Windstorms: Actions after the winds subside.
  3. The Damage Control Officer along with the Field Control Officer shall inspect all buildings to insure that all buildings on campus are safe to enter. In addition, they shall identify buildings which are unsafe to enter and shall make the necessary repairs.
  4. The Damage Control Officer shall notify the Chancellor or Designee when the campus is safe to resume classes.
  5. The Chancellor or Designee has the authority to reopen the campus and to resume classes.
  6. Announcement of reopening of the campus and resumed operations shall be provided via local media, as well as email and website notifications.