FEMA Workers Already In Hawaii To Assist As Tropical Storm Iselle Reaches Land
OAKLAND (KCBS)— Tropical Storm Iselle made landfall Friday in the Hawaiian Islands with Hurricane Julio still approaching.
Federal emergency management teams are already in the state to help with whatever relief efforts may be needed.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) sent personnel to Honolulu earlier this week according to Karen Arms with the organization's Region 9 office in Oakland.
"It's a small footprint of FEMA staff that works directly with the state prior to the storm and then they're there in their emergency operation center working hand-in-hand with the state as the storm passes through," she said.
Iselle hit land on the Big Island early Friday morning, and Hurricane Julio is expected to weaken and pass just north of the island chain sometime Sunday.
Arms said there are particular challenges when it comes to Hawaii because of geography.
"Unlike the [continental states] they can't call another state for assistance. It becomes quite a challenge in terms of airframe and when the airports close and when the airlines quit flying," she said.
Stores and businesses across the state are closed, and residents have advised to prepare for possible power outages.
Meanwhile, Hawaii still plans to hold scheduled primary elections on Saturday.