(UPDATED)

Mayor Mitch Roth announced the County’s proactive preparations for Tropical Storm Calvin, which is expected to make landfall this afternoon. Hawaiʻi Island is currently under a Flood Watch and a Tropical Storm Warning. Potential impacts include 4-8+ inches of rain, 39-57mph winds, and surf reaching 15’ faces on the Eastern facing shores.

As the storm approaches, the County is taking the following necessary precautions to ensure the safety:

• For the safety of the public and to prevent any potential hazards, all County parks will close at 4:00 pm today and remain closed through tomorrow, July 19.
• All County camping permits islandwide will be cancelled from Tuesday, July 18, through Wednesday, July 19.
• Beginning today, the Waipiʻo Valley Access Road will only be accessible to residents and farmers. This restriction is necessary to facilitate swift and safe evacuations if required and to prevent any unnecessary congestion on the roadways.
• The Robert Herkes Gymnasium and the Nāʻālehu Community Center will serve as safe locations for residents seeking shelter during the storm. These shelters will be staffed with trained personnel and will be equipped with essential supplies to accommodate residents. The shelters are pet friendly, requiring owners to be responsible for providing a carrier, food, and other supplies for their animals.
•  The Department of Public Works, Building and Engineering divisions will not conduct any permit or project inspections on Wednesday, July 19.
• Due to the unknown effects of the severe weather conditions and safety concerns regarding the public and Hele-On staff, the following route changes will be in effect on July 18 & 19, 2023:

July 18, 2023:

• Route 2 at 1:15, 4:45 pm (to Kona) & 5:00, 7:45 pm (to Hilo) – CANCELLED
• Route 60 at 2:05 pm (Hilo to Honokaa/Kona) & 8:26 pm (to Hilo)– CANCELLED
• Route 76 at 3:19 pm (Honokaa to Kona) & 6:00 pm (to Honokaa) – CANCELLED
• Route 80 at 7:15 pm (to S. Kohala/KOA) & 11:00 pm (to Hilo) – CANCELLED
• Route 90 at 12:30 pm (to Kona) & 5:00 pm (Southbound to Pahala) – CANCELLED
• Route 101, 102, 103, 104 – Services will end at 7:00 pm
• Route 201, 202, 203, 204 – Services will end at 7:00 pm
• Route 40, 401, 402 – Services will end at 7:00 pm

July 19, 2023:

All routes will be canceled and will be re-evaluated at 9:00 am.

For route closure/delay updates, please check https://twitter.com/heleonbus or listen to the County Civil Defense messages for more updates.

• In coordination with Governor Green and the State of Hawaiʻi, County offices and facilities, including the Vehicle Registration and Licensing Division and Transfer Stations, will remain closed for the safety of the public and staff. Animal Control services will remain open to address any emergency animal needs during the storm.

The Hawaiʻi County Clerk has also announced meeting cancellations and rescheduling due to inclement and potentially hazardous weather.

The affected meetings are as follows:

• Committee on Government Operations and External Affairs: Originally scheduled for 1:00 pm on July 18 – Cancelled. Rescheduled for July 25, 2023, at 10:30 am.
• Committee on Finance: Originally scheduled for 9:00 am on July 19 – Cancelled. Rescheduled for July 25, 2023, at 9:00 am.
• Regular Council Meeting: Originally scheduled for 10:00 am on July 19 – Cancelled. Rescheduled for July 26, 2023, at 9:00 am.

The County’s emergency management team is continuously monitoring the situation and will be providing regular updates on Tropical Storm Calvin’s progress. Residents are reminded to prepare emergency kits, secure loose outdoor items, and stay informed about weather conditions through official channels. Evacuation orders, if necessary, should be followed promptly and diligently.

To ensure timely and critical alerts, the County encourages residents to sign up for Everbridge messages from Civil Defense. By doing so, residents will receive important notifications directly to their preferred communication channels, allowing them to stay informed and make informed decisions. To sign up, visit: https://member.everbridge.net/371914103062563/login

The public is also encouraged to visit the official website of the Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency at https://hawaii-county-civil-defense-agency-hawaiicountygis.hub.arcgis.com/.