Hurricane Lowell swept through Hawaii overnight, leaving a heartbreaking tragedy in its wake. In Waimānalo, a man living in a tent at Sherwood Beach was killed when a large tree trunk fell on him. Governor Josh Green identified the victim as a homeless individual, and while police do not suspect foul play, the death underscores how severe weather can impact the most vulnerable members of a community. Nearly all 35,000 power customers on Kauai lost electricity, a coastal highway on Oʻahu was flooded, and around 300 people had to seek emergency shelter before the storm finally weakened.
For those of us living on the Gulf Coast, this story hits close to home. We understand the anxiety of watching the tropics, but this event is a sobering reminder that the danger doesn’t end when the storm is downgraded. Lowell is no longer a hurricane, yet the risks of flooding, mudslides, and falling debris remain. The aftermath of a storm often proves just as deadly as the storm itself. For our own community, that means being prepared for the “tail end” of a storm, ensuring our emergency plans account for days after landfall. We also must consider how we can support neighbors who are homeless or living in vulnerable structures like mobile homes or RVs, the people who may not have the option to simply board up and stay put.
In Hawaii, a community is recovering from a chaotic night. On the Suncoast, we reflect on their experience and watch our own radar. What was your biggest lesson from your last hurricane evacuation or storm scare? Let us know in the comments.
