A historic El Niño season has battered Hawaii with multiple hurricanes and storms in rapid succession, straining emergency management resources. State and county leaders are now discussing long-term changes to infrastructure, building codes, and disaster preparedness to handle increasing climate risks.
- Hurricane Lowell struck Kauaʻi last week while crews were still repairing Maui and Hawaii island roads damaged by Hurricane Lala.
- Hawaii’s Emergency Management Agency has been forced to hire additional staff to manage multiple simultaneous recovery operations.
- This year’s El Niño has exceeded scientific predictions, and experts warn more hurricanes, tropical storms, and post-wet-season wildfires are likely.
- Leaders are grappling with how to fund ongoing disaster recovery while also investing in long-term community and infrastructure resilience.
- Residents and officials are revisiting proven measures like building code updates and community-based disaster preparedness with plans to expand them.
Source: Civil Beat
Share this article
