Hawaiian Electric reported it is monitoring weather conditions across the state in response to a fire weather watch issued by the National Weather Service on Wednesday.

What You Need To Know

  • The watch extends to the leeward areas of all islands for Nov. 15, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., due to expected low humidity and strong wind gusts.
  • HECO said it could implement its Public Safety Power Shutoff program, preemptively shutting off power in communities with high exposure to wildfire risk should such measures be necessary to protect public safety
  • HECO said a PSPS likely would not be necessary until Friday and that it would provide updates on its assessment of the situation before then
  • People in the affected areas are encouraged to check emergency equipment such as flashlights, emergency generators, battery-operated (hand-crank or solar) radios, light sticks, and lanterns to be sure they are operational, and buy extra batteries

 

The watch extends to the leeward areas of all islands for Nov. 15, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., due to expected low humidity and strong wind gusts.

In a release issued Wednesday afternoon, HECO said it could implement its Public Safety Power Shutoff program, preemptively shutting off power in communities with high exposure to wildfire risk should such measures be necessary to protect public safety.

HECO said a PSPS likely would not be necessary until Friday and that it would provide updates on its assessment of the situation before then. 

Over the coming days, HECO will continue to closely monitor weather conditions, coordinate with state and county emergency response officials and urge customers to prepare for possible power outages and make safety their top priority.

For more information and maps, call Hawaiian Electric’s PSPS hotline at 1-844-483-8666 toll-free or go to hawaiianelectric.com/PSPS.

 HECO encourages customers to take the following preparatory steps.

  • Check emergency equipment such as flashlights, emergency generators, battery-operated (hand-crank or solar) radios, light sticks, and lanterns to be sure they are operational, and buy extra batteries. 

  • Make sure to have a battery-powered radio on hand to listen for updates on weather conditions and possible PSPS activation. 

  • If a household member is dependent on electrically powered, life-sustaining medical equipment, check backup facilities. Plan where to go if an evacuation is ordered. If it is necessary to go to a hospital or emergency shelter, remember to take necessary medical equipment and medications to the facility. 

  • When using a portable generator, make sure it is placed in a well-ventilated area outside the home, and be sure to carefully follow all instructions in the manufacturer’s manual. 

  • Turn refrigerators and freezers to their coldest settings. If power goes out, this will keep food fresher longer.  

  • Turn off and unplug any unnecessary electrical equipment, especially sensitive electronics. If an outage occurs, this will prevent damage to the equipment from surges when power is restored. 

  • Don’t venture out in the dark, where it may be difficult to see a downed power line that could be energized and dangerous; avoid standing water and debris. 

 

  • Assume any downed power line is energized and dangerous. Stay at least 30 feet or more away from all power lines. Warn others to stay away. For emergency assistance, call 911. For Hawaiian Electric, call a HECO Trouble Line: (Oahu: 1-855-304-1212; Hawaii Island: 808-969-6666; Maui: 808-871-7777; or Molokai: 1-877-871-8461).

Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at michael.tsai@charter.com.