City prepares for Calvin’s arrival — and urges residents to do the same

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Emergency preparedness officials are urging residents to get ready for Tropical Storm Calvin, which is slated to bringing heavy rains to the state as early as Tuesday.

City and county crews started clearing storm drains and trimming trees Friday in preparation for the storm. In Waimanalo, tree branches and debris were removed from a blocked drainage culvert on Ahiki Street. And in Waianae, heavy equipment was used to lower the sand plug at Ulehawa Street.

HNN Hurricane Center: Hurricane Tracker

Hiro Toiya, city director of Emergency Management, said residents should be prepared for very heavy rains — much like the torrential downpours during Tropical Storm Darby in 2016.

That storm caused widespread flooding across the state even though it never made landfall.

“Just a little bit of shift in that track could make a big difference,” he said.

“As always, we’re hoping for the best and preparing for the worst.”

Hawaii Island is expected to see the earliest — and potentially biggest — impacts from the storm.

Hawaii County said it was closely monitoring the storm and stressed the importance of preparedness. “We urge all residents to be proactive and take appropriate preventive measures to safeguard themselves and their property,” the county said, in a news release.

Toya added that Calvin is a good reminder that hurricane season in Hawaii is just starting.

“We encourage everybody to be prepared ahead of time and not waiting till the last minute. And of course, we don’t want anybody hoarding items either,” he said. “Just really think about your neighbors and friends and others who might need to go to the store and buy supplies.”

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