SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii (May 22, 2012) -- Hurricane season is approaching, and it's time for everyone to take precautionary measures.
Hawaii's hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30, and requires all residents to be vigilant and to be prepared for the worst. U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii is preparing by conducting its annual hurricane exercise, Makani Pahili, which is Hawaiian for "strong winds," from May 29 to June 8.
All military and civilian personnel, working or living on or off post, need know how to prepare for a hurricane, what to do if there is a hurricane and what to do after a hurricane.
Due to the isolation of Hawaii, "Ready Army," the Army Emergency Management program's proactive community awareness campaign, encourages all families to always be prepared.
Since hurricanes can hit Hawaii at any time, it's extremely important for all military and civilian personnel -- living on or off post -- to have a three-to-five-day basic emergency supply kit, complete with food, water and other essentials.
Supplies should be kept in an easy-to-carry emergency preparedness kit that can be used at home or taken along in case of evacuation.
The readiness campaign focuses on three easy steps: get a kit, make a plan and be informed.
• First, get a kit -- The kit should include emergency medications; nonperishable food; a manual can opener; one gallon of bottled water, per person, per day; a battery-powered radio; a flashlight and extra batteries; bedding; clothes; copies of important documents; cash; a first-aid kit; basic household tools; and other special items for infants, pets and elderly or disabled family members.
• Then, make a plan -- Meet with all family members to make a plan and discuss how to prepare and respond to emergencies that are most likely to happen at home, school or work. Identify responsibilities for each member of the household and plan to work together as a team.
A family communications plan is also necessary; each household member should know how to reconnect with the family. Be sure to also make advance preparations for any pets or people with special health needs.
Prepare an evacuation plan that identifies two places to go if told to evacuate, one within and one outside the neighborhood, like a friend's home or a shelter.
Store all emergency information on a card that can fit into a wallet. The card should contain each household member's work, school and cell phone numbers.
In addition, this card should contain the two meeting places and a contact number for someone out of the state.
An out-of-state contact may be needed if local phone lines are overloaded or out of service during an emergency. Sometimes, sending a text message or calling long distance to this central contact person may be accomplished easier during an emergency.
• Finally, always stay informed of the current and future situation -- Get a good map and be familiar with the community's inundation zones. Listen to local media or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration broadcasts for the latest storm conditions.
If advised to evacuate, do so immediately. If evacuating to a Red Cross shelter, bring the family disaster supplies kit.
Keep listening to the radio for Civil Defense announcements that state which shelters are open.
If anyone relocates after a major disaster and has not been able to reconnect with family, he or she can register at www.redcross.org or call 866-GET-INFO (866-438-4636) to register on the "Safe and Well" website, which informs family and friends of whereabouts and reconnection plans.
For more information about hurricane preparedness, contact the Hawaii Chapter of the American Red Cross at 808-739-8114, or visit www.hawaiiredcross.org.
The following is a list of emergency shelters and their corresponding communities:
Schofield Barracks
• A Quad -- 500th MI Bde.
Buildings 130 and 131
Location: Corner of Waianae and A roads
Housing communities: Canby and Solomon
• B Quad -- 2nd BCT
Buildings 155, 156, 157 and 158
Location: Corner of Waianae Avenue and Jecelin Street
Housing communities: Canby and Solomon
• C Quad -- 3rd BCT
Building 355 and 357
Location: Corner of Foote Avenue and Flagler Road
Housing communities: Canby and Solomon
• E Quad -- 3rd BCT
Buildings 550, 551, 552 and 549
Location: Corner of Waianae Avenue and Heard Street
Housing communities: Canby and Solomon
• F Quad -- 3rd BCT
Buildings 649 and 650
Location: Corner of Waianae Avenue and Lewis Street
Housing Communities: Hamilton I, II and Sante Fe
• 45th Sust. Bde.
Building 881
Location: Corner of Cadet Sheridan and Menoher roads
Housing communities: Hamilton I, II and Sante Fe
• 45th STB
Building 3004
Location: Lyman Road
Housing communities: Porter and Kalakaua
• 2nd BCT
Buildings 2086, 2087, 2088 and 2089
Location: Corner of Flagler and Aleshire roads
Housing communities: Porter, Solomon and Kalakaua
Wheeler Army Airfield
• 25th CAB
Building 844
Location: 1055 Santos Dumont Ave.
Building 835
Location: 1735 Wright Ave.
Building 100
Location: 400 block Latchum Road
Housing community: Wheeler
Helemano Military Reservation
• 45th Sust. Bde.
Building P1 Location: 173 Romero Rd.
Building 25 Location: 441 Romero Rd.
Building 300 Location: 100 Romero Rd.
Housing community: HMR
Fort Shafter
• 500th MI Bde.
Building 665
Location: Fitness Center
Housing community: AMR and Red Hill
• 94th AAMDC
Building 660
Location: Bowling Alley
Housing community: AMR
• USARPAC STB
Building 500
Location: Richardson Theatre
Housing community: Red Hill
• 516th Sig. Bde.
Building 1292
Location: Tunnel
Housing communities: Fort Shafter and AMR Rim
Tripler Army Medical Center
• Building 300
Location: Fitness Center
Housing communities: TAMC and AMR Rim
Related Links:
Ready Army: Hurricane Fact sheet (PDF download)
Hurricane season arrives, requires preparation
Army.mil: Asia and Pacific News
STAND-TO!: National Preparedness Month and Ready Army
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