State and federal official meet, photo courtesy Rep. Gabbard

(BIVN) – The cleanup continues following the soaking rains and flash flooding from last week’s brush with Hurricane Lane.

Today, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen received operational briefings from state and Federal Emergency Management officials on recovery efforts – not only for Hurricane Lane, but also the Kilauea eruption and the April floods.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Sen. Brian Schatz and Gov. David Ige met with Secretary Nielsen, Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Brock Long, and other federal, state, and local officials at the Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency’s Emergency Operations Center in Diamond Head Crater.

“Our communities across the state are still feeling the impacts of storms in April, the volcanic eruption that started in May, and most recently the rain and high winds brought by Lane,” Rep. Gabbard said. “Our state and county governments, along with residents and businesses, are counting on FEMA support to help offset the costs of disaster response and recovery. Even with all the hard work and progress that’s been made already, there is still a long road ahead for the people of Hawaiʻi. We must ensure that our partnerships between the local, state and federal governments continue to provide services and assistance for those in need.”

Hawai‘i County Civil Defense issued this update Thursday evening:

The American Red Cross, Hawaii County Civil Defense, State and Federal agencies continued their damage assessments from Hurricane Lane today. To report flood damage from the recent heavy rains, please call Civil Defense for a damage assessment at 808-935-0031. Teams led by VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) are also available to help clean up your home or property (debris removal, mucking out, etc.) after the damaging floods. If you would like assistance, please call 808-643-5555.

The Department of Health recommends the following actions to clean up flooded homes and businesses:

– Remove standing water

– Dry out your home or business

– Remove wet materials – Materials that are wet and cannot be thoroughly cleaned and dried within 24-48 hours should be discarded (i.e. Carpet/flooring/padding, furniture, drywall, particle boards, insulation etc.)

– Clean and sanitize

– Hard-surfaced walls and floors, and other household surfaces should be cleaned with soap and water and disinfected with a solution of one cup of bleach in 5 gallons of water.

– During clean-up, wear rubber boots and waterproof gloves if floodwaters have contaminated various portions of the household. Wash all linens and clothing that has been contaminated with floodwaters in hot water, or dry clean them.

For items that cannot be washed or dry cleaned, such as mattresses and upholstered furniture, and carpeting, it is recommended that these items be discarded. Trying to salvage these items can only lead to more problems, such as the growth of molds and other microbes that will later affect your Indoor Air Quality.

The Hawaii State Department of Health is advising the public to stay out of streams, coastal, and standing waters that are contaminated by storm water. Storm water may contain harmful micro-organisms from overflowing cesspools or septic tanks as well as animal waste washed into streams and storm drains.

The remaining road notices, as of Wednesday:

• Highway 11 – near the 30 mm (Volcano Golf Course) – one lane closure
• Old Mamalahoa (Papaikou to Pepeekeo – one lane only)
• Old Mamalahoa (Kolekole – closed)