HomeMy WebLinkAboutMayor's Severe Weather Emergency Proclamation 12/20/2022 <P,••y� +., Lee E.Lord
Managing Director
Mitchell D.Roth •: '•
Mayor Robert H.Command
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Deputy Managing Director
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25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2603 . Hilo,Hawai'i 96720 • (808)961-8211 Fax(808)961-6553
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(808)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440
MAYOR'S SEVERE WEATHER EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, Chapter 127A Hawaii Revised Statutes,provides for the establishment of
County organizations for emergency management and disaster relief with the Mayor having
direct responsibility and authority over emergency management within the County; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 127A Hawaii Revised Statutes and Chapter 7,Articles 1 and 2 of
the Hawaii County Code, establishes a Civil Defense Agency within the County of Hawaii and
prescribes its powers, duties, and responsibilities, and Section 13-23 of the Hawaii County
Charter empowers the Mayor of the County to declare emergencies; and
WHEREAS, on December 19, 2022,at 4:42 p.m.,the National Weather Service has
issued a High Wind Warning for the Island of Hawaii including Big Island summits with
southwest winds of thirty (30)to forty-five (45)mile per hour("MPH")winds possible and with
gusts over eighty (80)MPH also possible; and
WHEREAS, on December 19, 2022,at 4:55 p.m.,the National Weather Service has
issued a Flash Flood Warning for the Island of Hawaii that heavy rain was falling at a rate of
two (2)to three (3) inches of rain per hour in some areas; and
WHEREAS, on December 19, 2022,at 4:58 p.m.,the National Weather Service issued a
Severe.Thunderstorm Watch for the Island of Hawaii; and
WHEREAS, due to excessive rainfall resulting in flooding,temporary road closures were
required and additional road closures may become necessary; and
WHEREAS, sudden, severe and extraordinary events of lightning, heavy rains, and
flooding are causing damage, loss, and suffering of such character and magnitude to affect the
health, welfare and safety of the public and is of such a nature as to require assistance from the
County of Hawaii, State of Hawaii, and the Federal government; and
WHEREAS, due to the possibility of imminent disaster due to property damage and/or
bodily injury to residents of Hawaii Island, and the need for government agencies and
representatives from the private sector to mobilize and provide immediate services to our island
residents, a Civil Defense state of emergency is authorized pursuant to Chapters 127A, Hawaii
Revised Statutes, as amended, and Chapter 7, Hawai'i County Code.
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
Mayor's Severe Weather Emergency Proclamation
Page 2 of 2
NOW, THEREFORE, I, MITCHELL D. ROTH, Mayor of the County of Hawaii, do
hereby proclaim and declare that a state of emergency exists due to the threat of imminent
disaster on Hawaii Island, effective December 19, 2022, �46 p.m., Hawaii standard time.
This Emergency Proclamation shall be effective December 19, 2022, and shall terminate
in sixty (60)days unless terminated earlier or extended by a separate proclamation, whichever
shall occur first.
This Emergency Proclamation is effective at �'g6p.m.,this 19t'da of December 2022.
Mitchell D. Roth
Mayor
County of Hawaii