Hurricane Douglas
July 26, 2020, 7:00 pm
As of 5:00 pm today, Hurricane Douglas was passing north of Oahu and moving towards the west-northwest. While the hurricane appears to be tracking away from Oahu, the storm still maintains wind speeds of 85 mph. We may still experience strong winds and heavy rain tonight. The Hale 7 Student Shelter has closed but the CAC Shelter will remain open through the night. Please remain vigilant and stay safe.
July 26, 2020, 11:30 am
The Siren Warning System sounded at 11:00 am to alert the public that a hurricane is nearing Oahu. Extremely dangerous winds and flooding is possible. Make final prep now. The BYUH Student Shelter in Hale 7 will open at 1:00 pm.
July 25, 2020, 5:30 pm
Emergency Shelter
Due to COVID-19, the State of Hawaii has advised that residents should plan to shelter in place or stay with family or friends in homes outside of hazard areas. If it is not safe to do so people should move to a hurricane evacuation shelter as a last resort. The City and County of Honolulu has an updated list of Hurricane Douglas evacuation shelters for the general public here.
BYU–Hawaii is no longer an approved Red Cross Emergency Shelter. However, the university still plans to open a shelter for our students and members of our local community that may need to evacuate. Masks will be required in all shelter locations.
Student Shelter
Shelter Status: CLOSED
(Projected opening Sunday, July 26 at noon)
If the BYUH Student Shelter opens due to Hurricane Douglas, students will be notified via the BYUH ALERTS system.
Single Student Shelter Location: Hale 7
Married Student Shelter Location: CAC
Students who are unable to remain in their current location can evacuate to the appropriate shelter location listed above. Students will want to bring their 72-hour kit that includes bedding, food if they wish to eat at times when the cafeteria is not open, and a gallon of water for each day in the shelter.
Students who come to the shelter will need to remain there until after the storm has passed. Once a student who has checked in leaves, they will not be permitted to re-enter the shelter. Please be aware the university is working to provide the shelter while maintaining distancing and other COVID-related restrictions. Students who are ill or have a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher will need to be quarantined.
CAC Shelter
Shelter Status: CLOSED
(Projected opening Sunday, July 26 at 9 am)
Please bring as much of your 72-hour kit as possible which includes food, water, medications, clothes, bedding, air mattresses/cots, and other emergency supplies. Masks must be worn at all times. A release form must also be signed before entering.
July 25, 2020, 11 am
Hurricane Warning
A hurricane warning is in effect for the island of Oahu for dangerous and damaging winds. This warning is issued up to 36 hours before hazardous conditions begin. The National Weather Service issued an emergency alert. Urgently complete efforts to protect life and property. Have food, water, cash, fuel, and medications for 3+ days. Follow instructions from local officials.
July 24, 2020, 7:30 pm
Hurricane Watch Issued for Oahu
As of 5 pm today, Hurricane Douglas was 865 miles east-southeast of Honolulu and will pass dangerously close to the islands Saturday night through Sunday night. This will bring a triple threat of hazards—damaging winds, flooding rainfall, and dangerously high surf. A hurricane watch has been issued for the island of Oahu. A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case within 36 to 48 hours. The state of Hawaii is urging residents to be prepared and to have a disaster preparedness kit on hand.
Sign Up To Receive Emergency Alerts
All students should sign up to receive emergency BYUH ALERTS. If you have already signed up, log in to ensure that your contact information is up to date so you can receive emergency notifications from the university.
Shelter In Place
Due to COVID-19, the State of Hawaii is encouraging all people who can to shelter in place. Students living both on and off campus should make preparations to do this. These means stay inside in the safest area of your hale/home until you are given the all-clear or told to evacuate. Your RA or other housing personnel will alert you if you need to move to higher floors in the hales/TVA or if an evacuation is necessary.
Emergency Student Shelter
If the BYUH Emergency Student Shelter needs to open due to Hurricane Douglas, students will be notified via the BYUH ALERTS system. Student will want to bring their 72 hour kit, along with bedding and food. Students who come to the shelter will need to remain there until after the storm has passed. Student who are ill or have a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher will need to be quarantined.
July 24, 2020, 11 am
Hurricane Douglas is approximately 985 miles east of Oahu tracking west-northwest at 18 mph as a Category 3 hurricane with wind speeds of 115 miles per hour. Douglas will continue to quickly approach the main Hawaiian Islands, passing dangerously close to, or over, the islands on Sunday. Dangerous, life-threatening surf will arrive ahead of the hurricane on Saturday. Heavy rain and increasing winds are also possible.
As the situation changes, notifications will be posted on the BYUH website at byuh.edu/emergency and on social media. All members of the BYU–Hawaii community are encouraged to sign up to receive emergency BYUH ALERTS. If you have already signed up, log in to ensure that your contact information is up to date.
Additional information can be found at the National Hurricane Center and at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) website Ready.
July 23, 2020, 11 am
Update from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA):
"Douglas is expected to move near or over portions of the Hawaiian Islands this weekend, and there is an increasing chance that strong winds, dangerous surf, and heavy rainfall could affect portions of the state beginning on Sunday. Interests on the Hawaiian Islands should continue to monitor the progress of Douglas and the official forecasts as they evolve over the next few days. Watches could be issued on Friday."
For more information and forecasting for hurricane Douglas, visit NOAA.
For guidance on how to prepare yourself, your home, and your family, visit the Hurricane Preparedness page from the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency.