‘Over-evacuation’ may have prompted traffic problems before tsunami hit Hawaii, officials say
Hawaii officials say the timing of the tsunami warning and evacuation orders following this week’s massive earthquake off Russia helped make for severe traffic congestion in some areas. With hours of notice before the waves were to hit, some residents tried to run to the store for supplies or complete other errands. That complicated evacuation efforts that otherwise went smoothly. Hotels sent nonessential employees home early, putting additional drivers on the roads. A few tourists left for higher ground, rather than shelter on upper floors of hotels as called for in evacuation plans. Ed Sniffen, director of the state Department of Transportation, said that next time, he would like to provide more education about how people should manage that time.
