GOVERNOR SIGNS EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION IN ANTICIPATION OF TROPICAL CYCLONES

News Release from Office of the Governor August 6, 2014

HONOLULU – Gov. Neil Abercrombie today signed an emergency proclamation in anticipation of the arrival of two tropical cyclones in Hawaii. Hurricane Iselle is forecast to impact the state Thursday evening through late Friday. Hurricane Julio is a few days behind Iselle and may impact the islands as soon as Sunday.

The proclamation, which includes the entire state, activates the Major Disaster Fund set aside by the Legislature for disaster relief. It also allows easier access to emergency resources at the state and federal levels, along with the suspension of certain laws as needed for emergency purposes.

“We want to make sure we are doing everything possible to protect the public,” said Gov. Abercrombie. “This proclamation improves the state’s ability to respond quickly to any potential impacts from both storms.”

The disaster emergency relief period for the proclamation begins today and continues through Aug. 15, 2014.

Recommended preparedness actions may be found on the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency website at scd.hawaii.gov. Residents are also encouraged to enroll in local notification systems and monitor local radio and television broadcasts.

PDF: Emergency Proclamation

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GOVERNOR SIGNS SUPPLEMENTARY PROCLAMATION EXTENDING STATE OF EMERGENCY RELATING TO ISELLE

News Release from Office of the Governor August 15, 2014

HONOLULU – Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed a supplementary proclamation yesterday, Aug. 14, extending the state of emergency relating to Iselle. This supplement to his initial proclamation allows state agencies to continue the recovery process from the high winds, heavy rains, high surf, storm surge, and flooding.

“I cannot thank all the people that have come together to respond to the damage Iselle caused on Hawaii Island enough,” said Gov. Abercrombie. “Everyone is pulling together to try to meet the needs in Hawaii County. I’d especially like to thank Aloha Air Cargo, Hawaiian Ice Company, Matson, and Young Brothers for their consideration. Their hard work and, in some cases, donation of time and services has really made a difference in this recovery.”

Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA), formerly State Civil Defense, is conducting joint damage assessments with federal officials after landfall of Tropical Storm Iselle. The joint teams are coordinating with Hawaii County officials to determine the extent of damage in the hardest hit areas.

A Disaster Assistance and Recovery Center (DARC), organized and set up by HI-EMA, continues to operate at the Pahoa Community Center. The DARC, which provides information on disaster-related services and allows Iselle survivors to register their damage with the state, will move to the Mountain View Gym on Saturday. The DARC at Mountain View will remain open until 8 p.m. Sunday.

People in need of assistance who are unable to visit the DARC should call Hawaii County at (808) 935-0031 to report damages. The number to call for emergency water concerns on Hawaii Island is (808) 961-8790.

The number for the HELCO help line is (808) 969-6666.

Maui residents can report damage at http://www.co.maui.hi.us/index.aspx?nid=70.

Resources for Affected Individuals and Businesses for Dealing with Insurers

The State Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Insurance Division also outlined resources and advice for affected families and businesses dealing with their insurance companies. These include steps to help ensure that their claims are processed promptly, as well as information on how to file a complaint if they cannot resolve a dispute with their insurer.

File Claims Promptly – Homeowners and renters who experienced property losses are urged to file insurance claims with their insurers as soon as possible after losses occur. Provide policy numbers (if possible) and all information relevant to the loss. Households should take photos or videos showing the extent of the losses before cleaning up damage.

Make Only Necessary Repairs – Homeowners should protect their property from further damage after a loss, but should make only necessary repairs to prevent further damage to property, like covering broken windows. Permanent repairs should not be made until after insurers have inspected losses.

Keep Records of Dealings with Insurance Representatives – Homeowners should keep a diary of all conversations with insurance representatives, including the representatives’ names, and the times and dates of all calls or visits. They should also follow up in writing with the representatives to document their understanding of any conversations they’ve had.

Inventory Belongings – Provide your insurer with a detailed room-by-room inventory of damaged personal items and property. Include any receipts, credit card or other documents showing the items’ values.

Flood Damage – Homeowners are also reminded that flood damage to homes and structures is generally only covered by flood insurance, which is a Federal program administered by FEMA. Homeowners who have flood insurance and have flood damage should make claims through that insurance. Homeowners should also read their policies carefully to make sure they understand what damage is covered and under what circumstances.

Keep Your Receipts If You Relocate During Repairs. If you need to temporarily relocate while your home is being repaired, make sure to keep receipts and other records of your expenses during that time.

Information on Homeowners Insurance: Additional information can be found on the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Insurance Division website at http://cca.hawaii.gov/ins/.

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View the latest updates on Iselle recovery efforts