1992 — Sep 11, Hurricane Iniki (Category 4), Kauai, HI — 6

— 6  FEMA. Andrew, Iniki, Omar: FEMA Evaluation of Federal Response and…. 1993, p. 9.

— 6  NWS Central Pacific Hurricane Center. The 1992 Central Pacific Tropical Cyclone Season.

–1  Kauai. Female; “heart attack when a portion of her house fell on her.”

–1  Location not noted. Male “killed by flying debris when he was out during the storm.”

–2  “Japanese nationals drowned when their boat was capsized off Kauai.”

–1  Oahu. Male, “when his residence was set on fire by a candle used for light.”

–1  National Guardsman’s truck overturned trying to avoid live wires; cleanup phase.

— 3  National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data. Vol. 34, No. 9, Sep 1992, p. 8.

–1  Kilauea. Male, 77, struck by flying debris. NCDC Storm Data 34/9 Sep 1992, p. 125.

–2  Fishermen, 33 and 57, drowned at sea.

 

Narrative Information

 

FEMA: “Hurricane Iniki was the worst hurricane to strike Hawaii in this century. On September 11 at 10 p.m., EDT, the eye of the storm passed over the western part of the island of Kauai, with sustained winds of 130 mph and gusts of up to 165 mph. An hour later, the fast-moving storm was 50 miles north of Kauai, heading toward Oahu. Iniki brought with it torrential rains and waves of 25 feet on Kauai and 10-20 feet on Oahu. Six deaths were attributed to the storm. On Kauai, nearly 15,000 homes were damaged or destroyed. The basic physical infrastructure – including transportation, energy, and water facilities – was severely impacted. Many businesses, including tourist-related establishments, were damaged or destroyed. Estimates of Federal assistance under the Stafford Act for the State of Hawaii exceed $437 million.” (FEMA. Andrew, Iniki, Omar: FEMA Evaluation of Federal Response and Recovery Efforts. Feb 1993, pp. 9-10.)

 

NCDC Storm Data: “The most powerful Hawaiian hurricane in recent history moved over the Hawaiian Islands during the afternoon hours of September 11. Iniki moved across Kauai in a south-southwest to north-northeast direction. The eye crossed the coast in the Waimea area bout 3:30 p.m. HST and departed over Haena about 40 minutes later. Estimated maximum sustained winds were 140 mph with gusts to 175 mph (a category 4 hurricane of the Saffir/Simpson Scale with is not considered valid for the Pacific Islands). Iniki caused $1.8 billion in damage. Even though the hurricane force winds were confined to the island of Kauai, all the other islands in the state experienced some damage from strong winds and heavy (4-6 foot) surf. The Red Cross reported 1,421 homes were destroyed on Kauai with 5,152 homes receiving major damage and 7,178 homes receiving minor damage. Sixty-three homes were destroyed by wave and storm surge on the south coast of Kauai. Damaged crops included: sugarcane, papayas, and other assorted plants, fruits and tropical nuts. Iniki killed 3 people and injured 100.

 

Sources

 

Federal Emergency Management Agency. Andrew, Iniki, Omar: FEMA Evaluation of Federal Response and Recovery Efforts. Washington, DC: FEMA, February 1993, 88 pages.

 

National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data. Vol. 34, No. 9, Sep 1992. Asheville, NC: NCDC, NOAA. Accessed 4-8-2016 at: http://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-73A9C5A6-5BAC-4796-9C5E-DD2D4CB43302.pdf

 

National Weather Service Central Pacific Hurricane Center. The 1992 Central Pacific Tropical Cyclone Season. Honolulu, HI. 6-4-2015 modification. Accessed 4-8-2016 at: http://www.prh.noaa.gov/cphc/summaries/1992.php