University of Hawaiÿi Sea Grant College Program HOMEOWNER’S HANDBOOK TO PREPARE FOR NATURAL HAZARDS FOR NATURAL TO PREPARE HANDBOOK HOMEOWNER’S TSUNAMIS HURRICANES By Dennis J. Hwang Darren K. Okimoto Second Edition UH Sea Grant EARTHQUAKES FLOODS Additional publications by UH Sea Grant: The University of Hawaiÿi Sea Grant College Program (UH Sea Grant) Purchasing Coastal Real Estate in Hawaiÿi: supports an innovative program of research, education and extension A Practical Guide of Common Questions and Answers services directed toward the improved understanding and stewardship of coastal and marine resources of the State of Hawaiÿi, region, This guidebook is the perfect resource for anyone and nation. A searchable database of publications from the national thinking about purchasing coastal property in Sea Grant network, comprised of 32 university-based programs, is Hawai‘i. It teaches the landowner how to identify available at the National Sea Grant Library website: http://nsgl.gso. potential coastal hazards and also identifies what uri.edu. factors to consider in response to these hazards. In addition, a basic summary of common questions This book is funded in part by a grant/cooperative agreement from the and answers to Hawai‘i coastal land use and related National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Project A/AS-1, regulations is included. which is sponsored by the University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program, SOEST, under Institutional Grant No. NA05OAR4170060 from NOAA Office of Sea Grant, Department of Commerce. The views expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of NOAA or any of its subagencies. UNIHI-SEAGRANT-BB-11-02. Hawai‘i Coastal Hazard Mitigation Guidebook Printing of this publication was supported by the Hawai‘i Office of Written for a wide and varied audience including Planning, Coastal Zone Management Program, pursuant to National planners, architects, homeowners and government Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Award No. agencies, the guidebook covers how to mitigate NA08NOS4190421 funded in part by the Coastal Zone Management the risks associated with coastal hazards during the Act of 1972, as amended, administered by the Office of Ocean and development process. Emphasis is placed on early Coastal Resource Management, National Ocean Service, NOAA, planning to address where to build as well as how to United States Department of Commerce. The views expressed herein build, specifically addressing coastal & bluff erosion, are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of sea-level rise, flooding, tsunamis and hurricanes. NOAA or any of its sub-agencies. To order copies of these or other publications, contact: University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program 2525 Correa Road, HIG 208 Honolulu, HI 96822 Phone: (808) 956-7410 Second edition, version 2.1 published by UH Sea Grant in 2011. Fax: (808) 956-3014 Version 1.1 published by UH Sea Grant in June 2007. email: [email protected] By Dennis J. Hwang Darren K. Okimoto July 2011 Published by the University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program Second Edition, Version 2.1 Contents Part 1 Introduction .....................................................................................................................1 1.1 Common Myths and Reasons to Prepare ................................................................. 2 1.2 Ten Things You Can Do to Prepare .......................................................................... 6 Part 2 Natural Hazards: An Overview for Homeowners ..........................................9 2.1 Tsunami Hazards in Hawaiÿi .................................................................................... 9 2.2 Hurricane Hazards in Hawaiÿi ................................................................................ 13 2.3 Earthquake Hazards in Hawaiÿi .............................................................................. 19 2.4 Flood Hazards in Hawaiÿi ....................................................................................... 21 Part 3 Protecting Yourself and Your Family ................................................................23 3.1 Emergency Supplies ............................................................................................... 23 3.2 Evacuation Kit ........................................................................................................ 25 3.3 Evacuation Planning ............................................................................................... 26 3.3.1 Key Definitions ............................................................................................. 30 3.3.2 Emergency Alert System ............................................................................... 32 3.4 Evacuation Procedures for a Tsunami .................................................................... 33 3.5 Preparations Before a Hurricane ............................................................................ 38 3.6 Evacuation Procedures for a Hurricane .................................................................. 39 3.7 Evacuation Procedures for a Flood ........................................................................ 40 3.8 Evacuation Procedures for an Earthquake .............................................................. 41 3.9 Emergency Information and Contacts .................................................................... 41 Part 4 Protecting Your Property .......................................................................................42 4.1 Concept 1: Continuous Load Path Connection ...................................................... 44 4.1.1 Guide to Installing the Hawaiian Plantation Tie Hurricane Clip ...................51 4.1.2 Wall-to-Foundation Connection .....................................................................55 4.2 Concept 2: Creating the Wind-and Rain-Resistant Envelope ................................. 57 4.3 Window Coverings ................................................................................................. 58 4.3.1 Roll-down Shutters ....................................................................................... 58 4.3.2 Bahama Shutters ........................................................................................... 59 4.3.3 Colonial Shutters .......................................................................................... 59 4.3.4 Accordion Shutters ........................................................................................ 60 4.3.5 Storm Panels ................................................................................................. 60 4.3.6 Impact-Resistant Glass Systems ................................................................... 61 4.3.7 Laminates ...................................................................................................... 61 4.3.8 Hurricane Mesh, Screen, or Fabric ............................................................... 62 4.3.9 Plastic Honeycomb Panels ............................................................................ 63 4.3.10 Plywood Shutters ........................................................................................ 63 4.4 Installing Plywood Shutters.................................................................................... 66 4.4.1 Obtaining Assistance ................................................................................... 66 4.4.2 Material to Use ............................................................................................ 66 4.4.3 Measuring Your Windows and Cutting the Plywood .................................. 68 4.4.4 Fasteners and Attaching the Panels ............................................................. 70 4.4.5 Deployment ................................................................................................. 71 4.4.6 Other Methods of Installation ..................................................................... 72 4.4.7 Masonry Construction ................................................................................. 73 4.4.8 Larger Windows .......................................................................................... 73 4.4.9 Storing Plywood Panels .............................................................................. 75 4.4.10 Timing Deployment with a Hurricane Watch or Warning .......................... 75 4.5 Wind Resistive Devices Technical Specification .................................................... 76 4.5.1 Option 1: Roof-to-Wall Connection ............................................................ 78 4.5.2 Option 2: Roofing ...................................................................................... 78 4.5.3 Option 3: Exterior Opening Protection ....................................................... 79 4.5.4 Option 4: Foundation Uplift Strengthening Restraint ................................. 80 4.5.5 Option 5: Safe Room ................................................................................. 81 4.6 The Safe Room: Tax Credits and Cost ................................................................... 81 4.7 Insurance Discounts for Installation of Hurricane Protection ................................ 82 4.8 Protecting Your Property with Insurance ................................................................ 83 4.8.1 Hurricane Insurance .................................................................................... 84 4.8.2 Flood Insurance ..........................................................................................