VIDEO: Top emergency management officials said with this hurricane season, extra attention is on even more threats than before.
Risks such as fire fueled by storm-strength winds, and the higher likelihood of power loss due to new fire-prevention plans, have added even more layers to what it means to be hurricane-ready in Hawaii.
Long after Hurricane Hone had passed Hawaii island, and shelters meant to protect from wind, rain and flooding had closed, Hawaii County announced the re-opening of two shelters in parks for one specific reason: power.
KHON2 asked James Barros, administrator of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, about the elevated attention to power outages.
Whether caused by storms, generation shortages or HECO’s new public safety power shutoff program — which was on alert for possible activation during Hone’s passage near the island chain – the potential for outages abounds.