Oahu first responders urge homeless to seek shelter ahead of Tropical Storm Moke

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Rescue workers say this has been an unprecedented year for stream-related emergencies as a busy hurricane season continues.

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On Oahu, first responders are preparing for the next round of severe weather, and warn residents that response times increase during heavy rain.

EMTs and paramedics with the Community Outreach Response and Engagement (CORE) team routinely provide medical care to Oahu’s unsheltered population.

They’re now warning homeless residents about incoming weather systems, especially those who live under or near bridges where they can quickly become trapped by flash floods.

That happened during this year’s Kona low storms, when firefighters had to rappel to rescue people trapped under King Street and Kapiolani Boulevard. EMS treated them and took them to shelters.

EMS also deployed new water rescue vehicles to pull stranded residents to safety on the North Shore during flooding at Otake Camp.

Water rescue vehicle rated for up to 42 inches of water

Dr. Jim Ireland, director of the Emergency Services Department, said the water rescue vehicle is rated to about 42 inches of water.

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If the water level gets above the white line on the vehicle — which happened during the Kona low storms — crews know they can’t go any further.

Ireland said high water levels prevented rescuers from opening the front doors on the vehicle.

“So people had to go up this ladder and there’s a hatch on the top and people had to drop in through the hatch,” Ireland said.

CORE urges people to prepare now

With emergency resources stretched thin and access cut off during severe storms, first responders are urging people to prepare now so they don’t require a rescue later.

CORE visited people living on the streets in Kailua and Waimanalo on Friday. Many CORE spoke with said they know more rain is coming and they are taking precautions.

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