HECO monitors wildfire risk conditions, crews standing by to respond to storm-related outages

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A Public Safety Power Shutoff watch is in effect as Hawaiian Electric continues to monitor conditions from Hurricane Nolo as it moves west.

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HECO said Saturday it is monitoring high winds and dry conditions, which may lead to wildfires as Nolo moves west.

The utility said a Public Safety Power Shutoff is in a watch condition, meaning if weather conditions intensify in the next 24 hours, the utility may proactively shut off power in communities with high risk of wildfire.

The criteria for determining a PSPS are persistent drought conditions, wind gusts 45 mph and higher, and relative humidity below 45%.

As of 7:30 p.m. Saturday,

HECO said there are currently no major outages on Hawaiʻi Island or Oʻahu.

During the watch period, customers in high-risk areas are urged to initiate their own emergency plans and prepare for the possibility of extended outages.

HECO is also implementing its own safety measures such as protective devices and settings, which may result in frequent and longer outages while inspections and repairs are performed.

More information on PSPS can be found by calling HECO’s PSPS hotline at 1-844-483-8666, or online here.

Crews on standby to respond to outages

No major outages were reported due to the storm. However, Hawaii Electric said it has employees, contractors and support staff deployed across Hawaii Island, Oahu and Maui County to respond to high winds and heavy rain.

The utility says crews stand ready to assess damage and make repairs once conditions are safe, but warns saturated ground increases the risk of falling trees and urges residents to prepare for extended outages.

Hawaiian Electric crews who had been assisting with restoration efforts on Kauaʻi are back on their respective islands and are available for storm response.

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The company is working to keep outage maps and social media updated with information as it becomes available.

Because of the dynamic nature of the storm system, Hawaiian Electric said that outage information represents a snapshot in time and may change as conditions progress.

Check hawaiianelectric.com or the company’s mobile app for the latest outage information.

Estimated time of restoration may not be available until the storm passes and damage assessments can be completed. Customers who cannot find their outage on the map can report it online or by calling the company’s trouble lines:

Hawaiian Electric’s priorities for restoration emphasize safety and essential community services. If outages occur, restoration efforts will take place in a manner designed to restore power to the greatest number of customers first.

Damage assessments must be completed before repairs and restoration can begin.

Assessments, especially in remote areas, can take several days depending on the severity of damage, accessibility of roads and availability of helicopters. While the company does use drones, there are line-of-sight limitations.

Safety reminders

Even when winds have subsided, conditions can be dangerous. The company is urging customers in storm-impacted areas to take the following safety precautions:

Call the Trouble Line for the appropriate island to report any downed power lines, and the company will send personnel out to inspect the damage when it is safe to do so.

Customers should call 911 or our Trouble Lines to report dangerous situations, such as downed power lines or sparking electrical equipment. Keep phone lines open for emergencies.

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Visit hawaiianelectric.com/electricalsafety for more safety tips.