Authorities Explained Problems with Evacuation Before Tsunamis in Hawaii

• The number of people on the roads during the evacuation was exacerbated by traffic jams.
• The Department of Transportation plans to improve information about the evacuation.
• The evacuation experience was organized, regardless of the traffic jams.

Honolulu (AP) — David San-Miyashiro was stuck in traffic on the 31st floor of a high-rise building in Honolulu when his phone alerted him about possible tsunamis that arose following a powerful earthquake far on the other side of the Pacific Ocean. Having enough time for a possible rise in water, he violated the quarantine rule, which required him to stay at home.

However, his plan was thwarted by traffic in his area, Kakaaako. San-Miyashiro waited an hour to cross a few blocks, after which he decided to turn back and left his car, returning to his apartment on foot with his dog.

The tsunamis from the earthquake registered 8.8, which occurred near the Russian peninsula, causing minor damage. However, Hawaii officials noted that the time of the earthquake — in the evening peak traffic — and the number of hours of previous delays contributed to serious traffic jams, which hindered the evacuation, which in another case passed smoothly.

Molly Pierce, a representative of the Department of Emergency Management of Oahu, noted that some residents may not have been aware of whether they actually needed to evacuate. Some hotels sent untrained personnel to the shelters, which added to the traffic. Tourists chose to leave hotels instead of staying on the upper floors, while some residents rushed to stores for supplies.

Ed Sniffen, director of the state Department of Transportation, stated that he did not blame the earlier warnings. However, in the future, he plans to train more people on how to properly use this time. Many people tried to leave safe zones to buy fuel or products. According to him, it would have been more effective to stay in the places where they were safe.

State Representative Adrian Tam also expressed concern about the delays in Waikiki, a popular tourist area with limited exit routes. He believes this is a signal for the state and city to organize the evacuation process.

Hawaii usually receives enough warnings before tsunamis, as they are not located on tectonic boundaries. The main earthquakes in the state are related to heavy volcanic islands, which stress the earth’s crust. Tsunamis usually occur long after the earthquakes, usually in a few hours.

In addition, officials accounted for the losses from wildfires in Lahaina, ensuring the opening of military routes from the outskirts of Waianae to the center of the island.

Jake Bacon, a photographer from Arizona who vacationed in Hawaii, noted that the evacuation was organized, regardless of the traffic jams. "I didn't hear anyone signaling," he said. "Everyone was moving slowly through the traffic jams."

Tags: USA/Weather