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CIVIL DEFENSE AGENCY                      Date:    December 27, 2008    

MEDIA UPDATE                                       Time:               2:00 a.m.

                                                                       

Update: #         7                     

 

Incident:     Flood Advisory # 7                            

 

This is a Civil Defense message.

 

This is a flood advisory update for Saturday morning, December 27 at 2:00 o’clock.

 

The flash flood warning issued for Hawai’i County has been cancelled effective 2:00 a.m. Saturday morning. However, the National Weather Service continues to forecast rainy conditions for Hawai’i County through the weekend.

 

As a precaution the following are issued:

 

·        The Police Department reports that all highways are open at this time, but all motorists are advised to continue to drive with caution and be on the alert for debris, run-off, and ponding of water. Be aware that closures and slowdowns still can occur without warning.

 

·        The State Department of Health advises you to be aware of possible contamination of flood waters. Water from streams and coastal areas as well as ponding areas may contain harmful contaminants from overflowing sewage systems as well as animal waste and agricultural runoff.

 

Again the National Weather Service has cancelled the flash flood warning for Hawai’i Island. The National Weather Service does forecast rain to continue through the weekend.

 

Have a safe day.

 

This is your Hawai’i County Civil Defense.

 

 

 

 

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NEWS RELEASE

 

October 4, 2008

 

Contact person: Quince Mento, Civil Defense Administrator at 935-0031

 

County Unveils New Mass Emergency Notification System

 

The Hawai'i County Civil Defense Agency has just acquired a new Mass Emergency Notification System, which allows for County agencies to easily notify the public in the event of emergencies.

 

The City Watch is an electronic notification system that can notify residents about evacuations or other emergency measures via phone or email.

 

“This new system allows us more flexibility and speed to notify communities of an impending or imminent emergency, with appropriate measures for residents to follow,” said Civil Defense Administrator Quince Mento.  It will supplement the more traditional means of communicating with the public such as radio broadcasts.

 

The system was purchased by State Civil Defense and was given to the County as a pilot project, Mento said.  The system uses maps with registered residents’ phone numbers and addresses to target specific communities on the island.

 

“We can use a computer generated map to focus on say, Waikoloa or Puako, to alert residents to evacuate in the event of a brush fire,” Mento said.  The system once activated sends residents registered on the system a brief voice and email message.  “This system will only be activated in major emergencies,” Mento said.

 

Hawai’i County residents need to register for City Watch notification messages by either mailing their contact information to: County of Hawai'i Civil Defense Agency, 920 Ululani Street, Hilo, HI 96720 or online at http://www.citywatchonline.com/CSBSignUp/HawaiiSignUp.asp .  To register, please give your name, street address (no p.o. boxes, please), city, zip code, home phone, cell phone, cell phone carrier and email address.  The service is free to all residents.

 

The pilot stage of the project will be free to the County, and subsequent years the County will pay an annual fee of approximately $40,000.  The system is used in numerous communities, notably in California amid the recent spate of wildfires.

 

 

 

 

 

Incident:      Air Quality Advisory

 

 

This is a Civil Defense message.

 

This is an air quality advisory for Wednesday morning, August 6, at 9 o'clock.

                       

The Hawai'i County Civil Defense Agency report that recent activity at the Kilauea volcano has resulted in some temporary increased levels (spikes) of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and particulates occurring mainly in the early morning hours in the communities closest to the vent areas in the districts of Ka‘u and Puna.  On July 24, 2008, air monitors in Pahala in the Ka‘u District recorded a spike of sulfur dioxide between 9:00 am and 10:00 am of almost 9 parts per million (ppm) which is considered extremely high and Color Code Purple.  The Department of Health advises that exposure to such elevated levels of sulfur dioxide can pose an immediate health threat to people who have asthma and other respiratory conditions.       

 

It is nearly impossible to forecast these temporary episodes of potentially hazardous air quality, since levels can change significantly in minutes.  The sulfur dioxide level is dependent upon the SO2 output from the Kilauea volcano, variable winds, and weather patterns that change on short notice.  On July 24, within 45 minutes, the SO2 level spiked from 0 ppm to 8.9 ppm (which represents a dangerous level) and fell immediately back to 0 ppm.  It should be noted that the presence or absence of visible vog is not a reliable indication of the sulfur dioxide level. 

 

People in sensitive groups such as those with asthma, heart or lung disease, and older can be particularly vulnerable and need to be alert and aware of their own health situation.  Anyone who experiences symptoms of respiratory problems that may be triggered by emissions from the volcano should have an emergency action plan.  In all cases, people reacting to volcanic emissions must know when to seek medical care or take protective measures such as staying indoors with the windows closed or relocating to a safe area.  For further information, please call the Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Agency at 935-0031 or the State Department of Health.

 

Thank you for listening.

 

This is your Hawai‘i County Civil Defense.

 

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