Honolulu emergency director concerned about single-walled homes as Kiko approaches

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Officials are hoping that Kiko’s track leads to weakening and a turn to the north, but with uncertainty, they’re still preparing for the worst.

Honolulu’s Emergency Management Agency Director, Randal Collins, says one of his biggest concerns when it comes to hurricanes is the prevalence of single-walled homes on Oahu, which are particularly vulnerable to strong winds and rain.

Hurricane Kiko expected to lose hurricane status as he approaches islands

“The residential areas, mostly those in the single-walled homes,” Collins said. “We’re really concerned about the low-lying areas as well because of the coastal flooding and the inland flooding that we could have from the effects of the hurricane.”

This weekend, he’s focused on pulling together the Emergency Operations Center team.

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“Well, we’re doing a lot of things, especially ramping up our Emergency Operations Center and coordinating with the National Weather Service, with HIEMA, and with our, obviously, our local partners. And we’re trying to understand what each other is responsible for. We’re going over our plans,” Collins said. “And then we’re actually making some improvements based on our lessons learned from even the tsunami a few weeks ago. So, as we realize some of the limitations of our Emergency Operations Center and the technology, we’re making some changes based on those lessons learned.”

As for what people at home should do, Collins says he’d like them to take a moment to prepare just in case.

“The risk factor is a little higher today and over this weekend. And so we just want people to get their 14-day supplies together,” he said.

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Supplies include food, water, important documents and more. Acting out of an abundance of caution is best, and be sure to bring in any loose items that may be outside.

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