2014 Hurricane Iselle Hits the Big Island

An ironwood tree blocks the entrance to Mackenzie Park in Puna.

After a natural disaster, government agencies will do their best to help you, but if there are hundreds of downed trees on the roads, it’s going to take time for workers to get to you.

Huge sections of road at Wai ʻŌpae in Kapoho were washed away by storm surge generated by Iselle.

Likewise, HELCO works very hard to get power back up to residents as quickly as possible. But when there are several miles of utility poles that are broken in half, power cannot be restored overnight.

Utility poles in Puna were snapped in half as a result of Hurricane Iselle and albizia tree branches.

Be self-sufficient. We get hit regularly with tsunamis, but we also experience large earthquakes, which give no warning time. These can also cut off roads, so you might not be able to get to a grocery store to stock up; you have to be ready at all times.

Ahalanui Warm Ponds were overrun by tremendous storm surge during Hurricane Iselle.

Storm surge washed debris over sidewalks at Ahalanui Warm Ponds in Puna.

Boulders washed up by storm surge broke through the outer bark of coconut trees at Ahalanui.

On Highway 11, a tree fell across the road.

In Volcano Village, high winds from Hurricane Iselle toppled many Portugese Cypress trees onto houses.

Stay safe!

Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Active Alerts

Visit the Civil Defense website for up-to-date information.