As predictions called for Tropical Storm Felicia to hit Maui today with heavy rain, high winds and large surf, shelters were opened and crews were on standby to clear roads, repair downed power lines and respond to other emergencies.
The preparations began last week and intensified Monday as the storm neared.
At 10 p.m. Monday, American Red Cross volunteers were mobilized to open six shelters on Maui, two on Molokai and one on Lanai. Pets were being accepted along with people at the Maui shelters, with Maui Humane Society staff on hand at each location to oversee the animals, said agency Chief Executive Officer Jocelyn Bouchard.
"This is the first time that we've accepted pets at a shelter," Bouchard said. "People just need to bring them in kennels or some sort of carriers. Pets won't be inside with people, but they will be in a covered area."
At the shelter at the War Memorial Gym in Wailuku, for example, plans called for pets to be placed under an overhang outside the gym. "So they will be safe and out of the main elements," Bouchard said.
She said pets are being accommodated at the shelters because, with Felicia downgraded from a hurricane, the storm is considered a "nonwind" event. People should bring food and water for their pets, Bouchard said. No farm animals are allowed.
On Monday afternoon, the Department of Education reported that all public schools would be open today while officials continued to monitor the storm. Updates were to be posted on the Web site doe.k12.hi.us.
Throughout Maui County, crews were on standby to assist with emergencies.
The state Highways Division had trees trimmed and large drainage ways cleared of debris on Maui, said Tammy Mori, spokeswoman for the state Department of Transportation. She said on Monday that crews did "more visual checks" to make sure areas were clear.
"It sounds like everything is under control," she said. "All maintenance crews are standing by with their equipment ready to go in various locations."
Officials at Kahului Airport held a special meeting Sunday to address the weather.
Mori said emergency power generators are ready in case of a power outage at the airport and airlines are being notified of updated weather information.
Airport employees also are on standby in case they need to be called in, and the airport fire and rescue crew had been updated with weather information and emergency plans, Mori said.
Mori said no major changes are planned at Kahului Harbor, where Young Brothers and Matson have shipments arriving this morning.
She said the NCL Pride of America cruise ship was scheduled to leave Monday evening for Hilo, away from the storm's path.
At Maui Electric Co., spokeswoman Kau'i Awai-Dickson said in a news release that additional staffing had been scheduled early today through the duration of the storm so workers can immediately respond to any power outages. She said workers last week conducted detailed inspections of substations and power plants and secured electrical equipment and materials.
Storm drains at the power plants were checked to ensure they were free of debris, and pumping equipment used to prevent flooding at the facilities was tested, Awai-Dickson said.
MECO's transmission lines also were recently inspected, she added.
Awai-Dickson said that if widespread or extended outages occur, people should tune in to local radio stations for status and restoration updates.
The Coast Guard issued safety alerts to recreational and commercial boaters, advising them to seek sheltered waters or to make plans for departing ports.
Crews from Air Station Barbers Point on Oahu made prestorm harbor survey flights over Maui and the Big Island to ensure that infrastructure and boats were secure. In addition, Coast Guard auxiliary members were out in the community to ensure that recreational boaters were prepared.
After canceling a hike into Waikamoi and closing Hosmer Grove and Kipahulu beach accesses Monday, Haleakala National Park officials were advising visitors to stay away until the storm passes. Park staff were monitoring conditions, with the possibility of more closures today.
If flash flooding occurs, the county Department of Water Supply was prepared to shut down the Kamaole water treatment plant because of poor water quality. The department would then tap its 50-million-gallon Piiholo Reservoir, which was nearly full Monday, to provide water to the county's Makawao and Lower Kula systems.
The three Upcountry water treatment facilities have generators standing by in case of power failures, officials said.
* Melissa Tanji can be reached at mtanji@mauinews.com.
