Mayor to residents: Prepare for Olivia, but avoid overbuying supplies

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - City leaders held a teleconference Sunday morning with various department heads to prepare for possible impacts from Hurricane Olivia, now on a track toward the islands.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell echoed a similar message to residents heard in recent weeks: Be vigilant and stay prepared.

"With hurricane Lane still fresh in our memory, we're now facing another challenge as Hurricane Olivia approaches the state," Mayor Kirk Caldwell said.

"I want to stress the importance of preparing adequately, but again, I'm asking that people not purchase more than they need, and if you have purchased more than needed, please don't return items; rather keep supplies on hand for the remainder for hurricane season," Caldwell said.

The mayor is working with the proper agencies to ensure emergency response is ready to go as needed.

"While the storm has weakened and is projected to turn slightly more to the south of Oahu, we have seen the importance of preparing for the threat of a hurricane or tropical storm well ahead of time. For everyone who went through the days leading up to hurricane Lane, take the lessons we learned and use them now," he added.

Even as a tropical storm, Olivia could bring torrential rain to already hard-hit areas of the state. It won't take much rain or wind for severe damage to occur.

"Two things that concern us at a time like this are emergency fatigue and the public underestimating the threat," HI-EMA Administrator Tom Travis said.

"Because Lane wasn't a direct hit, and Miriam and Norman bypassed the islands, people may start to feel like we're safe. The warnings start to mean less. But let's be clear; in each of those cases, we were lucky. Don't plan on being lucky. Plan on being prepared," he added.

Right now, all city services are operating as normal. Changes and closures may be expected later in the week.

Other counties across the state are also closely monitoring the situation.

Stay with Hawaii News Now for the latest on the possible severe weather. 

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