Although there have been no requests for federal disaster assistance at this time, the Federal Emergency Management Agency  has personnel on the ground who are positioned in the Pacific Area Office year round. An Incident Management Assistance Team has also been deployed to Hawaii to coordinate with state and local officials, should support be requested, or needed.

“Tropical storms can bring dangerous surf, damaging winds and both coastal and inland flooding,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “Stay away from flood waters, never drive through flooded roadways and follow the direction of state and local officials.”

Residents and visitors to the Hawaiian Islands should:

• Listen to the instructions of local officials. Local officials make decisions on sheltering in place or going to your pre-designated safe meeting location.
 
• Have important supplies ready to sustain you and your family, if needed. This includes water, a battery-powered radio, flashlight, extra batteries, cell phone charger, medicines, non-perishable food, and first aid supplies. …

Follow local radio and TV reports, as well as forecasts from the National Weather Service, weather.gov.

Key terms:

• Flash Flood Watch: Rapid rises on streams and rivers are possible. Be prepared to move to higher ground; listen to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information.

• Flash Flood Warning: Rapid rises on streams and rivers are occurring; seek higher ground on foot immediately. …

Meanwhile, the Hawaii Tourism Authority has this to say:

The National Weather Service has extended the tropical storm warning to include Kauai — all of the Hawaiian Islands are now under a tropical storm warning. …

Airlines have begun canceling flights, so we continue to ask visitors to contact their airlines and hotels directly to confirm their travel plans. All of the airports remain open.

For updates on the storm, visit the National Weather Service website or the State Civil Defense website.

Photo: Flossie slowly weakens; forecast to hit Maui. (KITV)

—Chad Blair