Tsunami Updates part 2

The statewide civil defense sirens went off at 9am as per the tsunami emergency plan. Since the last post, we've learned the following:

• Tsunami reached French Polynesia. Waves at 6 feet and no damage reported. More waves expected.
  
• Tonga, Tahiti, and the Cook Islands instituted emergency evacuation plans.
• The wave size predictions have decreased but the length of activity expected is still the same.
• The estimated first wave arrival time in Hawaii is now 11:05 AM HST.

Hilo will receive the first waves and most of the Hawaii news attention is there, as well it should be. On Oahu, stores have been closed or have been forced to close due to being overwhelmed with panicked shoppers. There is only one Costco open on Oahu at the moment, both the Hawaii Kai and Iwilei locations closed for the day.

Hawaiian Airlines is not changing or cancelling any flights except ones in to Hilo because the Hilo airport is closed right now. Honolulu International Airport is still open.

A reminder to Hawaii residents: FOLLOW EVACUATION PROCEDURES! The department of emergency management for your county as well as statewide civil defense makes decisions on what areas needs to evacuate and when. If everyone evacuates at once, all of the roads will be jammed.

Information on local evacuation procedures is in the front of the phone book (includes contact numbers, maps, and other important information).

We are now about 1.5 hours away. More updates to follow, assuming we keep power.