Emergency Management
Emergency Management Program
Stay Informed & Alerts
During a large-scale emergency, the Emergency Operations Center activates communication channels to provide critical instructions and minimize impact.
| Alert System | Description | Access / Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Installation Operations Center | Direct contact for installation emergencies and operations. | (808) 787-3277 |
| ALERT System | Primary mass warning system targeting phones and computers (texts, calls, emails, pop-ups). Family members can be added to profiles. | DISA Self-Registration |
| Giant Voice System | Secondary mass warning indoor/outdoor speaker system on USAG Hawaii installations. | Automatic on-post |
| HNL Alert | City & County of Honolulu targeted notification system for specific addresses and events. | honolulu.gov/dem/hnl-alert |
| Social Media | Official USAG Hawaii updates. | Facebook · Instagram · Twitter |
| My Army Post App (MAPA) | Mobile app delivering installation news, alerts, and resources. | Available on the App Store & Google Play |
| Tenant Commands | Agency telephone alerting and recalls. | Managed by your unit / office |
Reporting Outages & Maintenance
Outages and facility issues increase during severe weather. Reporting quickly helps response teams track impacts and prioritize repairs.
Life-safety emergencies: Always call 911 first for hazards to life, health, or safety.
| Department | Phone | Online Portal |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate Life-Safety Hazards | 911 | — |
| Directorate of Public Works (DPW) Government facilities | (808) 787-1275 | ARMA Online Work Orders |
| Island Palm Communities (IPC) On-post housing | (808) 457-4075 | Online Maintenance Request (Routine) |
Use DPW/ARMA for government facilities or IPC channels for on-post housing. For immediate hazards to life, health, or safety, call 911.
Local Hazards & Preparedness
Local Hazards
Click any hazard below to expand details, alert levels, and required actions specific to Hawaiʻi.
Hurricane Season (June – November)
In Hawaiʻi, hurricane season runs from June through November. Know your closest safe havens before a storm hits.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Off-Post Shelters | Community shelters available for residents and families. Used during and after a storm. |
| On-Post Safe Havens / Shelters | Military installation facilities for service members and families. Available facilities are communicated through ALERTS, social media, and MAPA. |
| Important Notice | Shelters and safe havens are NOT available until officially opened by the Hawaiʻi Department of Emergency Management (off post) or the Garrison Commander (on post). |
Be InformedMake a PlanBuild a KitGet Involved
Tsunamis
A tsunami is a series of incredibly long waves caused by a large, sudden displacement of the ocean — usually from an underwater earthquake, landslide, or volcanic eruption. Hawaiʻi sits within the "Ring of Fire," making tsunamis a significant threat.
Key Characteristics
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Series of Waves | A "wave train," not a single wave. The first wave is often not the largest; later waves can be bigger and arrive minutes to hours apart. |
| Speed | In deep ocean, tsunamis travel over 500 mph — the speed of a jet plane. |
| Inland Reach | Acts like a fast-rising tide or "wall of water" that can flood inland for hundreds of yards or miles. |
| Receding Water | Ocean may recede dramatically, exposing the sea floor — a natural warning to move to high ground immediately. |
Tsunami Alert Levels
| Alert Level | Meaning | Required Action |
|---|---|---|
| Watch | A distant earthquake occurred; tsunami may reach Hawaiʻi. | Be Prepared. Stay tuned to radio/TV and ALERT updates. |
| Advisory | Strong currents or dangerous waves expected. | Stay out of the water. Move away from beaches and harbors. |
| Warning | A dangerous tsunami is imminent or occurring. | Evacuate Immediately. Move to high ground or inland outside evacuation zones. |
Evacuation & Safe Zones
- Evacuation Zones: Areas at risk of flooding during a tsunami.
- Vertical Evacuation: In urban areas like Honolulu, the 4th floor or higher of a reinforced concrete building is a safe alternative if you cannot move inland in time.
- Oʻahu Resources: Use the Oʻahu Tsunami Evacuation Map to identify if your home or workplace is in a danger zone.
Earthquakes
An earthquake is the sudden shaking of Earth's surface caused by the release of energy in the lithosphere. In Hawaiʻi, earthquakes can occur from tectonic plate movement or volcanic activity on neighboring islands.
| Type | Cause | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Tectonic | Plate Movement | Caused by Earth's crustal plates shifting. |
| Volcanic | Magma Movement | Caused by underground movement of molten rock; often a warning of an impending eruption (e.g., Kīlauea, Mauna Loa). |
| Aftershocks | Adjustments | Smaller earthquakes following the main event — can continue for days, weeks, or months. |
Flooding
Types of Flooding in Hawaiʻi
| Type | Cause | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flooding | Heavy Rainfall | Occurs within minutes or hours of excessive rainfall. Common in valleys where water rushes down mountain slopes. |
| Coastal Flooding | Storm Surge / High Tides | Heavy surf, tropical storms, or "King Tides" pushing ocean water onto inland roads and properties. |
| Urban Flooding | Drainage Overflow | Heavy rain overwhelms man-made drainage systems — common in developed housing and industrial areas. |
"Turn Around, Don't Drown" — Never walk or drive through floodwaters.
- 6 inches of moving water can knock an adult off their feet.
- 12 inches can sweep away a small car.
- 2 feet can carry away most vehicles, including SUVs and trucks.
Flood Alert Levels
| Alert Level | Meaning | Required Action |
|---|---|---|
| Watch | Conditions favorable for flooding. | Be Prepared. Monitor weather and be ready to move to higher ground. |
| Advisory | Flooding could cause significant inconvenience. | Stay Aware. Use caution driving; avoid low-lying areas. |
| Warning | Flooding is imminent or occurring. | Take Action. Move to higher ground immediately. |
Wildfire
Wildfires are a significant and growing threat in Hawaiʻi due to changing weather patterns, invasive grasses, and drought. Driven by trade winds, they can move incredibly fast and threaten housing areas, training ranges, and critical infrastructure.
Wildfire Dynamics in Hawaiʻi
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Trade Winds | Can push a small fire across hundreds of acres in minutes. |
| Topography | Fire travels faster uphill; steep ridges create "chimney effects" that intensify heat. |
| Human Activity | Over 90% of Hawaiʻi wildfires are human-caused (sparks, campfires, cigarettes). |
Immediate Actions if a Fire is Nearby
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1. Report It | Call 911 immediately. Provide the nearest landmark or training-range number. |
| 2. Evacuate Early | Don't wait for an official order if you feel threatened. Leave before smoke makes visibility impossible. |
| 3. Prepare the Home | Close all windows and doors. Turn off AC units to stop smoke from being pulled inside. |
| 4. Communication | Check the ALERT system and official USAG Hawaii social media for evacuation routes and shelter locations. |
"Firewise" Preparedness (Before a Fire)
- Clear Debris: Remove dry leaves, branches, and trash from around buildings and gutters.
- Hydration: Keep a garden hose connected and ready.
- Go-Bag: Keep your emergency kit easily accessible for sudden evacuation.
Beach & Ocean Conditions
Check daily conditions, surf height, and hazards before heading to the beach.
Emergency Preparedness Resources
Practical tools to help Soldiers, Families, Civilians, and Contractors prepare for hazards in Hawaiʻi. Remember the four steps to preparedness.
Be Informed Make a Plan Build a Kit Get Involved
| Resource | Description | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Ready Army | The Army's proactive readiness campaign for relevant hazards — Be Informed, Make a Plan, Build a Kit, Get Involved. | army.mil/ready |
| ADPAAS | Army Disaster Personnel Accountability & Assessment System for monitoring recovery and personnel status. | adpaas.army.mil |
| Ready.gov | National readiness site provided by the Department of Homeland Security. | ready.gov |
Make a Plan — Family Emergency Plan (print/save)
A written plan your household can keep and update.
- Ready Army printer-friendly plan template (PDF)
- USAG Hawaiʻi fillable family emergency plan — link coming soon
Tip: Keep one copy in your go-kit and save a digital copy for quick access.
Four steps to preparedness
- Be Informed: Know local hazards and follow official alerts.
- Make a Plan: Meeting places, routes, contacts, pet care, critical documents.
- Build a Kit: Enough supplies for at least 72 hours (home/vehicle/work).
- Get Involved: Training and volunteering strengthen community resilience.
Ready Army is the U.S. Army's official emergency preparedness program: army.mil/ready
Active Threats & Official Links
Active Threats: Shelter-in-Place vs. Lockdown
Understanding the difference between Shelter-in-Place (SIP) and Lockdown is critical to your safety. Each requires distinct actions.
Shelter-in-Place (SIP)
Take temporary protection in your current structure or vehicle when a short-notice hazard makes movement unsafe. SIP is commonly used for HAZMAT releases, severe weather, and radiological or biological incidents.
Lockdown
- Stop movement and get into the nearest secure room immediately.
- Secure the space: lock doors/windows or barricade if locking is not possible.
- Minimize your presence: lights off, blinds closed, stay low and away from doors/windows, devices silenced.
- Remain silent and out of sight until authorized security forces issue the all-clear.
Official Hawaiʻi Emergency Links
External links provided for convenience; content is managed by the respective agencies.
| Agency / Tool | Website |
|---|---|
| National Weather Service Hawaiʻi | weather.gov/hfo |
| Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) | dod.hawaii.gov/hiema |
| Honolulu Department of Emergency Management (DEM) | honolulu.gov/dem |
| HNL Alert — Mass Notifications | honolulu.gov/dem/hnl-alert |
| Oʻahu Dam Evacuation Planning Tool | experience.arcgis.com |
| National Hurricane Center (Central Pacific) | nhc.noaa.gov/?cpac |
| U.S. Tsunami Warning Center | tsunami.gov |
| Hawaii Ocean Safety | oceansafety.hawaii.gov |