Drone video from the county of Maui released Friday shows some of the flooding aftermath on the south part of the island after as much as 6-10 inches of rain fell Thursday.
“South Kīhei Road’s history as a natural wetland once allowed it to receive rainwater and manage seasonal runoff from Haleakalā,” the county of Maui said. “Urban development, however, encroached into these wetlands, reducing the land’s natural flood control and making flooding experienced by development more common. Despite these changes, the area retains its natural flood-prone state during heavy rains.”
The island reported multiple water main breaks, affecting drinking supply in some neighborhoods. All Maui County pools, sports playing fields, tennis and basketball courts and stadiums, including the Waiehu Golf Course, remain closed due to storm-related impacts, according to the Department of Parks and Recreation.
Aside from the heavy rains, powerful winds gusting over 60 mph in the lowlands left over 50,000 people without power and multiple trees down.
That included this unlucky driver in Honolulu who came to find a large tree had smashed into his rear windshield.
Powerful winds knocked a tree over onto the back of an unlucky car in Honolulu during a blistering wind and rain storm Thursday.
At least one rock slide was also reported on Maui, with a giant boulder blocking a travel lane of the Kahekili Highway.
Strong winds were seen partially blowing the shingles off a roof in Kaneohe, along the windward coast of Oahu.
Footage from Graham Bell shows the storm
Hawaii issued a ground stop for all interisland flights on Thursday for a few hours as the storms raged, with four flights being diverted to Lihue, according to the Hawaii Department of Transportation.
Boaters fared no better as the National Weather Service in Honolulu issued multiple marine warnings throughout the storm advising of strong winds, lightning and even potential waterspouts.
The Hula Girl, a 65-foot commercial catamaran, sits aground on the north side of Honolua Bay in Maui Jan. 31, 2024. Coast Guard Marine Safety Team Maui and Coast Guard Sector Honolulu personnel are working alongside Department of Land and Natural Resources personnel to mitigate any environmental hazards. (U.S. Coast Guard photo, courtesy Department of Land and Natural Resources)
The Hula Girl, a 65-foot commercial catamaran, sits aground on the north side of Honolua Bay in Maui Jan. 31, 2024. Coast Guard Marine Safety Team Maui personnel assessed the scene and reported no signs of pollution. (U.S. Coast Guard photo, courtesy Department of Land and Natural Resources)
The Hula Girl, a 65-foot commercial catamaran, sits aground on the north side of Honolua Bay in Maui Jan. 31, 2024. The four crew members aboard the catamaran safely disembarked the vessel after it ran aground during inclement weather. (U.S. Coast Guard photo, courtesy Department of Land and Natural Resources)
But even boats docked on shore were not immune from the storm impacts. The U.S. Coast Guard reports a 65-foot commercial catamaran broke free of its mooring on the north side of Honolua Bay in Maui early Friday morning and smashed into rocks, running around.
Maui firefighters were able to help safely get four crewmembers on board to shore. Another 38-foot boat ran aground onto a sand bottom near Maui’s Kihei.
The winds were even higher – reaching well beyond hurricane force – along the mountain peaks. A communications tower atop the summit of Maui’s Haleakala around 10,000 feet recorded a gust of 120 mph.
Check out this stunning drone footage capturing the aftermath of a powerful storm that has caused severe flooding on the island of Maui in Hawaii. The video showcases the extent of the damage caused by the storm, as floodwaters inundate roads, homes, and farmland. The aerial perspective provides a unique and sobering view of the destructive force of nature, reminding us of the resilience and vulnerability of our communities in the face of extreme weather events. Watch the video to see the full extent of the flooding and the impact on the local residents. #Maui #Hawaii #Flooding #DroneFootage #StormDamage
The first new marine protected area (MPA) of 2025 has been announced in the Pacific Ocean Republic of the Marshall Islands to protect what is said to be a huge shark population and the nation’s largest green turtle nesting colony.
The MPA or national marine sanctuary will cover two remote atolls spanning an area of 48,000sq km surrounding the country’s northernmost islands, Bikar and Bokak.
Green turtle hatchling swimming for the first time in the lagoon of Bikar Atoll (Enric Sala / National Geographic Pristine Seas)
The islands are uninhabited and described by the National Geographic Pristine Seas, which has been heavily involved in providing the data on which the MPA is based, as “two of the most pristine ecosystems in the Pacific Ocean”. The atolls are to be fully protected from fishing.
The Marshall Islands is providing the protection as part of a conservation approach called “look towards the future” or Reimaanlok, based on cultural insights and traditional knowledge. The idea is that coastal communities work together to design their own resource-management plans for sustainable and equitable use of local terrestrial and marine resources.
An example of healthy coral: Fore reef of Bokak Atoll (Enric Sala / National Geographic Pristine Seas)
“The ocean as our ancestors knew it is vanishing,” said Marshall Islands president Dr Hilda Heine. “Without sustainable ocean ecosystems, our economy, stability and cultural identity will collapse.
“The only way to continue benefiting from the ocean’s treasures is to protect it. I am proud of our country’s first marine sanctuary, which certainly won’t be its last.”
A school of bigeye trevally on the windward side of Bikar Atoll (Enric Sala / National Geographic Pristine Seas)Pristine Seas founder Enric Sala on a dive (Enric Sala / National Geographic Pristine Seas)
“The ocean is life,” said Glen Joseph, director of the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority (MIMRA). “The world’s ocean is being degraded, but we are able to bring part of it back by recognising that protection and food production are not mutually exclusive.
“Safeguarding areas of high biodiversity delivers benefits to local communities who rely on fish and other aspects of a healthy environment. Our future depends on protecting our ocean.”
During an expedition to Bikar and Bokak in 2023, Pristine Seas and MIMRA gathered data about marine life from the surface to as deep as 2,340m, from lagoons and coral reefs to far offshore, as reported at the time on Divernet.
Barracuda school off Bikar Atoll (Enric Sala / National Geographic Pristine Seas)
The team of scientists and film-makers used visual scuba surveys of coral reefs and open-water environments; dropped cameras to the seabed; counted and identified seabirds; tested genetic material found in the water; and explored little-known deeper areas using a submersible.
“Bikar and Bokak’s coral reefs are a time machine, like diving in the ocean of 1,000 years ago,” said Enric Sala, National Geographic explorer in residence and founder of Pristine Seas. “In these remote atolls, we saw the healthiest coral, giant clam and reef fish populations in the central and western Pacific. They are our best baselines for what the ocean could look like if we truly let it be.”
Steephead parrotfish at Bikar Atoll (Enric Sala / National Geographic Pristine Seas)
Working with local researchers and government officials, the team conducted 452 dives around Bikar and Bokak as well as Bikini and Rongerik atolls, sharing their scientific report with decision-makers to inform the Reimaanlok.
They noted that Bikar and Bokak harboured the largest green turtle nesting and seabird colonies in the Marshall Islands; had the highest coral cover and giant clam densities in the central and western Pacific; displayed high coral resilience to global warming; and had the highest reef-fish biomass in the tropical Pacific Ocean.
Abundant giant clams in Bokak Atoll lagoon (Enric Sala / National Geographic Pristine Seas)
The area also featured an abundance of vulnerable species such as large grouper, Napoleon wrasse and bumphead parrotfish; rare fish spawning aggregations and mating sharks; and deep-sea communities with potentially new species of fish and invertebrates and many sharks.
Napoleon wrasse (Enric Sala / National Geographic Pristine Seas)Large school of grey reef sharks off Bokak’s leeward channel (Enric Sala / National Geographic Pristine Seas)
Pristine Seas says that Bikar and Bokak stand in contrast to Bikini Atoll, used as a nuclear test site after WW2. At MIMRA’s request, Pristine Seas has studied the atoll to help the Marshall Islands establish its first long-term monitoring sites, using standard data collection methodologies with Rongerik Atoll as an unbombed reference site.
Since 2008, National Geographic Pristine Seas says it has helped to establish 29 of the world’s largest MPAs, covering a total of 6.8 million sq km – more than twice the size of India.
The Marshall Islands has officially established its first Marine Protected Area (MPA), marking a significant step towards conservation and preservation of its marine resources. The new MPA, named Time-machine, covers a vast area of pristine coral reefs, mangroves, and marine habitats that are crucial for the health of the region’s marine ecosystems.
The establishment of Time-machine is not just a milestone for the Marshall Islands, but also for the global conservation community. As one of the most vulnerable nations to climate change and rising sea levels, the Marshall Islands has been at the forefront of advocating for stronger measures to protect its marine environment.
By creating this MPA, the Marshall Islands is not only safeguarding its marine biodiversity, but also ensuring the sustainability of its fisheries and the livelihoods of its people. The Time-machine MPA will serve as a sanctuary for endangered species, a nursery for marine life, and a buffer against the impacts of climate change.
This groundbreaking initiative showcases the Marshall Islands’ commitment to sustainable development and environmental stewardship. It is a testament to the power of collective action and the importance of preserving our natural heritage for future generations. Time-machine is not just a name, but a symbol of hope and resilience in the face of environmental challenges.
The Marshall Islands government has announced it will protect an area of the Pacific Ocean described as one of the most “remote, pristine” marine ecosystems on Earth.
The 48,000-square-kilometer (18,500-square-mile) marine sanctuary covers two of the country’s northernmost uninhabited atolls, Bikar and Bokak, and the surrounding deep sea, and it is the first federal marine protected area (MPA) established by the Pacific Island nation nestled between Hawaii and the Philippines.
“The ocean as our ancestors knew it is vanishing,” Hilda Heine, the president of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, said in a press statement announcing the measure on Jan. 28. “Without sustainable ocean ecosystems, our economy, stability and cultural identity will collapse. The only way to continue benefiting from the ocean’s treasures is to protect it.”
Fishing and other extractive activities, which were already minimal due to generations of custodianship by the Utrik community, will now be strictly forbidden, future-proofing the area against threats and formalizing protections.
The area is teeming with rare and endangered marine wildlife, including green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) and fish species such as the Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) and the bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum). Researchers also noted there is a high potential for discovering new species of fish and invertebrates in the deep seas.
In the lead-up to the MPA’s creation, National Geographic’s Pristine Seas team led by marine biologist Enric Sala, in collaboration the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority, spent almost 650 hours diving in the Marshall Islands to study marine life as part of a five-year expedition across the Pacific.
Their findings were significant: The region had the highest reef fish biomass in the Pacific Ocean. Giant clams (Tridacna maxima) were found in huge numbers. Deep-sea sharks, many of which are threatened, were abundant. And the atolls not only had the highest coral cover in the central and western Pacific but were also found to be especially resilient to global warming.
“Bikar and Bokak’s coral reefs are a time machine, like diving in the ocean of 1,000 years ago,” Sala wrote in a press release. “They are our best baselines for what the ocean could look like if we truly let it be.”
The expedition also visited neighboring Bikini Atoll, where the U.S. conducted 23 nuclear bomb tests in the 1940s and ‘50s, and found that marine life had still not recovered, noting the presence of “pulverized, dead reef with not much living on it.”
The federal government of the Marshall Islands, which reclaimed independence in 1983, is now incorporating traditional knowledge in its conservation strategy called Reimaanlok. The approach, which means “look toward the future” in Marshallese, includes coastal communities in decision-making processes on how to manage the nation’s oceans and land.
Banner image: The Marshall Islands’ new marine sanctuary will protect one of the most pristine areas of the Pacific Ocean. Image courtesy of Manu San Félix/National Geographic Pristine Seas.
The Marshall Islands recently made a historic move to protect its pristine Pacific corals by establishing its first marine sanctuary. This sanctuary, covering an area of over 480,000 square kilometers, is now one of the largest protected marine areas in the world.
The Marshall Islands, a small island nation in the Pacific Ocean, is home to some of the most diverse and vibrant coral reefs on the planet. These reefs provide habitat for a wide variety of marine life, including endangered species such as sea turtles and sharks.
By designating this marine sanctuary, the Marshall Islands government is taking a proactive step to safeguard its precious coral reefs from threats such as overfishing, pollution, and climate change. This move is not only crucial for the health of the marine ecosystem but also for the livelihoods of local communities that rely on the ocean for food and income.
The establishment of this marine sanctuary is a testament to the Marshall Islands’ commitment to conservation and sustainable development. It sends a powerful message to the rest of the world about the importance of protecting our oceans and marine biodiversity.
With this bold initiative, the Marshall Islands is setting an example for other countries to follow in their efforts to preserve and protect the natural wonders of our planet. This marine sanctuary will serve as a beacon of hope for future generations, ensuring that these pristine Pacific corals will continue to thrive for years to come.
Reef sharks are abundant in the new marine proteted area. Enric Sala / National Geographic Pristine Seas
A region of the Pacific Ocean that’s larger than Switzerland is now fully protected from fishing, thanks to the creation of a massive new marine sanctuary in the Marshall Islands.
The Marshall Islands are located in the west-central Pacific Ocean, between the Philippines, Hawaii and French Polynesia. The new marine protected area spans 18,500 square miles of water surrounding two remote, northern atolls, called Bikar and Bokak.
“Bikar and Bokak’s coral reefs are a time machine, like diving in the ocean of 1,000 years ago,” says Enric Sala, founder of National Geographic Pristine Seas, in a statement. “They are our best baselines for what the ocean could look like if we truly let it be.”
The atolls, which are uninhabited, are “flourishing with life,” says Whitney Goodell, a marine ecologist at National Geographic Pristine Seas, to BBC Wildlifemagazine’s Melissa Hobson.
They’re brimming with seabirds, deep-sea sharks, giant clams, fish and coral—including endangered bristle-thighed curlew birds and vulnerable Napoleon wrasse fish. They also host a large green sea turtle nesting colony and a group of bumphead parrotfish, a type of fish that’s important for coral reef health.
The atolls are home to steephead parrotfish (Chlorurus microrhinos) and many other types of marine creatures.
Enric Sala / National Geographic Pristine Seas
National Geographic Pristine Seas is an initiative that promotes the creation of new marine protected areas in collaboration with Indigenous and local communities. Since launching in 2008, the project has helped establish 29 marine sanctuary areas spanning more than two million square miles.
In 2023, researchers with National Geographic Pristine Seas and the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority completed an exploratory expedition to the atolls to learn more about the creatures living up to 7,677 feet beneath the ocean’s surface.
They made 452 dives near Bikar, Bokak, Bikini and Rongerik atolls, spending roughly 643 hours under the water. They also explored the area using a submersible and cameras, and they collected water samples for genetic testing.
“Bikar and Bokak were, if not the most pristine, some of the most pristine waters and coral reefs and coral atolls we have ever viewed anywhere on Earth,” says Ryan Jenkinson, director of expeditions for National Geographic Pristine Seas, to Radio New Zealand’s Caleb Fotheringham.
Scientists shared their findings from that expedition with local decisionmakers to inform a process called “reimaanlok,” a traditional Marshall Islands conservation philosophy that translates to “look toward the future.” The reimaanlok is rooted in the idea that coastal communities know best how to sustainably and equitably manage their local resources.
The new marine protected area includes Bikar Atoll (shown here) and Bokak Atoll in the Marshall Islands.
Steve Spence / National Geographic Pristine Seas
By protecting the waters surrounding the atolls, Marshall Islands leaders hope to see a boost in fish populations, which will in turn provide food and jobs for coastal communities.
“The ocean as our ancestors knew it is vanishing,” says Hilda Heine, president of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, in the statement. “Without sustainable ocean ecosystems, our economy, stability and cultural identity will collapse. The only way to continue benefiting from the ocean’s treasures is to protect it.”
The establishment of the marine protected area will likely be a boon to scientists, too, who expect to find new species of fish and invertebrates living in the pristine ecosystem. Researchers also hope the protection will ultimately help make the atolls’ coral reefs more resilient in the face of threats like climate change and disease.
“When you have these fully intact reefs—even if the water gets so warm that some bleaching happens and some of the reef dies—it will bounce back really, really quickly,” Jenkinson tells Radio New Zealand. “[Coral reefs] have adapted and evolved to bounce back but only if they are totally functioning.”
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The Marshall Islands, a remote Pacific nation known for its pristine coral reefs and abundant marine life, has just established a new marine protected area that is teeming with biodiversity. The new protected area, called the Rongelap Atoll Marine Protected Area, is a haven for marine life and a “time machine” to oceans long ago.
Located in the northern Marshall Islands, the Rongelap Atoll Marine Protected Area covers over 1,000 square kilometers of marine habitat, including vibrant coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests. The area is home to a wide variety of marine species, including sharks, sea turtles, and colorful reef fish.
Scientists studying the newly protected area have been amazed by the abundance of marine life they have found. The coral reefs are healthy and thriving, with large schools of fish darting among the corals and vibrant coral gardens stretching as far as the eye can see. Sea turtles can be seen gliding gracefully through the crystal-clear waters, while sharks patrol the reef in search of prey.
The Rongelap Atoll Marine Protected Area is not only a haven for marine life, but also a valuable research site for scientists studying the effects of climate change on coral reefs and marine ecosystems. By protecting this pristine marine habitat, the Marshall Islands are not only preserving their natural heritage, but also ensuring the long-term health and vitality of their marine ecosystems.
Visitors to the Rongelap Atoll Marine Protected Area are treated to a truly immersive experience, where they can snorkel or dive among some of the most vibrant and diverse marine ecosystems in the world. As they explore the underwater world, they are transported back in time to a pristine, untouched ocean that is brimming with life.
The establishment of the Rongelap Atoll Marine Protected Area is a testament to the Marshall Islands’ commitment to conservation and sustainable management of their marine resources. By protecting this unique and biodiverse marine habitat, the Marshall Islands are not only safeguarding their natural heritage, but also providing a valuable resource for future generations to enjoy.
In a world where marine ecosystems are under increasing pressure from human activities, the Rongelap Atoll Marine Protected Area stands as a shining example of what can be achieved through conservation and sustainable management. As visitors explore this pristine marine paradise, they are reminded of the importance of protecting our oceans and the incredible biodiversity they support.
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Marshall Islands Marine Protected Area
Marine Conservation in the Marshall Islands
Time Machine to Oceans Long Ago
Biodiversity in the Marshall Islands
Marine Life in the Marshall Islands
Coral Reefs in the Marshall Islands
Sustainable Oceans in the Marshall Islands
Marine Protected Areas in the Pacific
Environmental Conservation in the Marshall Islands
Flood Watches are in effect for all the Hawaiian islands as a storm swings by bringing heavy rain, possible strong thunderstorms and damaging wind gusts.
HONOLULU– A powerful storm system will produce heavy rainfall, gusty winds and rough waves throughout the Hawaiian Islands for the remainder of the workweek.
The National Weather Service office in Honolulu has issued a Flood Watch for all islands from Wednesday through Friday afternoon as rain rates of 2-3 inches per hour are expected for some areas.
The rain and flash flooding also brings an increased risk for mudslides and landslides for much of the islands.
Video from MakaiClicks on Sunday shows flash flooding at Waimea Falls, a popular tourist attraction on Oahu.
A video captured Sunday shows a massive flow of water crashing down Waimea Falls on Oahu. The National Weather Service issued a flood watch through Friday for all the Hawaiian Islands.
In the video, a huge swell of muddy water comes from nowhere, crashing down the falls into the pool below. Another clip shows water rushing downhill, beneath a walkway bridge.
On Sunday on Maui, three girls had to be rescued by Maui County firefighters after they became trapped on a rock outcropping in the middle of Iao Stream.
The Maui County Fire Department said three girls were rescued Sunday after they got stuck on a group of rocks amid rising stream waters.
In addition to flash flooding, the storm system will bring thunderstorms and damaging winds to parts of the islands.
Wind gusts of 30-50 mph are possible on the island of Kauai, where the storm system is expected to hit the hardest.
“The winds are going to be powerful with this thing,” said FOX Weather Meteorologist Stephen Morgan.
A High Wind Warning is in effect for the summits on the island of Hawai’i until Friday. Winds between 40-50 mph with gusts peaking at 90 mph are expected, according to the National Weather Service.
Snow and ice are also possible for the high elevation portions of the big island. A Winter Storm Watch is in place for Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa through Friday, with 4–8 inches of frozen precipitation.
The National Weather Service advises travel near the summits could be very difficult to impossible at times, with blowing snow severely limiting visibility.
After the system passes through the islands on Friday, conditions are expected to quickly improve for the weekend.
The FOX Forecast Center is monitoring the possibility of the system impacting the U.S. West Coast early next week, with heavy rain and strong winds.
The Hawaiian Islands are bracing for a powerful winter storm that is expected to bring heavy rain, snow, and potential flooding to the region. The storm, which is forecasted to hit later this week, could bring significant impacts to the islands, including strong winds and high surf.
Residents and visitors are being urged to take precautions and prepare for the inclement weather. The National Weather Service has issued a series of advisories, including flood watches and warnings, as well as high wind warnings.
In addition to the potential for flooding, parts of the islands could see significant snowfall, particularly at higher elevations. This could lead to hazardous road conditions and potential travel disruptions.
Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and are urging people to stay informed and heed any evacuation orders or instructions. It is important to have an emergency plan in place and to have necessary supplies on hand.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing weather situation and stay safe, Hawaii!
This color-enhanced radar image shows a strong storm system approaching Hawaii from the northwest. All islands are under a flood watch and high wind watch from Wednesday night and Thursday.
The National Weather Service warns that a “potent winter storm system will bring a multi-faceted threat for significant weather hazards” to all Hawaiian islands starting Wednesday night.
The threats include heavy rain, flash flooding, damaging winds, severe thunderstorms on all islands, and snow and ice on Hawaii island summits, according to weather service forecasters in Honolulu.
“Damaging gradient and downslope winds will be possible, particularly to the north and northeast of the terrain from late Wednesday night through Friday, especially over the smaller islands,” NWS said in a special weather statement. “In addition, heavy rain capable of producing flash flooding is expected to affect the entire island chain during this time.”
The public is urged to monitor forecasts, and to be prepared should flash flood warnings be issued.
The weather service today issued:
>> A flash flood watch for all islands from Wednesday evening through Friday morning. “Flood prone roads and other low lying areas may be closed due to elevated runoff and overflowing streams. Urban areas may receive more significant flooding and property damage due to rapid runoff.”
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>> A high wind watch for all islands Wednesday evening until Thursday night with southwest winds 20 to 35 mph with possible gusts up to 55 mph. “Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are possible. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.” Forecasters said the strongest winds will likely be across windward and mauka areas of Oahu and Kauai, but parts of Maui County and the Big Island could also see strong winds.
>> A winter storm watch for Hawaii island summits late Wednesday night through Friday morning. “A light glaze of ice is also possible on wet surfaces as temperatures drop below freezing.”
>> A gale watch for Kauai waters from Wednesday evening to Thursday afternoon due to strong winds, which can cause hazardous seas and reduce visibility for boats.
The storm system threatening Hawaii comes from an unusually strong low pressure system northwest of the state that will pass a couple hundred miles north of Kauai on Thursday, then drag a cold front east through the islands through Friday, according to the weather service.
“Intense rainfall rates are likely especially over the typically drier south and southwest facing slopes, where the greatest rainfall totals are expected,” forecasters said. “Finally, there is an enhanced risk of strong to severe thunderstorms with the primary threat expected to be damaging wind gusts, particularly over the smaller islands.”
Kauai County officials are urging residents to stay vigilant and avoid outdoor activities in flood-prone areas such as hiking trails, rivers, streams, and low-lying areas.
NWS officials urge residents to take precautions to protect property before the storm hits, and to tie down loose objects or move them to a sheltered location.
Hawaiian Electric officials said the company was monitoring the weather and encouraged residents to check their emergency preparations and prepare for the possibility of power outages. They said those preparations should include:
>> Checking emergency equipment such as flashlights, generators, battery-operated radios, light sticks, and lanterns to be sure they are operational.
>> Buying extra batteries.
>> Having a battery-powered radio on hand to listen for updates on the weather conditions.
>> Making sure portable generators are in a well-ventilated area outside the home, and carefully follow all instructions in the manufacturer’s manual.
>> Turning refrigerators and freezers to their coldest settings in case power goes out.
>> Turning off and unplugging any unnecessary electrical equipment, especially sensitive electronics in case of a power outage.
>> And assume downed power lines are energized and dangerous, and stay at least 30 feet or more away from all power lines.
The Hawaiian islands are currently bracing for a potentially potent storm system that is forecasted to bring heavy rain, strong winds, and dangerous surf to the area. The storm, which is expected to hit later this week, has the potential to cause significant damage and disruption to the islands.
Residents and visitors are being urged to prepare for the storm by securing loose objects, stocking up on supplies, and staying informed about the latest weather updates. Authorities are also warning of the possibility of flash flooding, landslides, and power outages as a result of the storm.
As the storm approaches, it is important for everyone in Hawaii to take precautions and stay safe. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as needed. Stay tuned for more information on this developing weather event.
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An outbreak of avian influenza at Crescent Duck Farm in Aquebogue has forced the farm to cease operations and begin to euthanize its entire flock, jeopardizing the future of Long Island’s last remaining duck farm.
The presence of the virus, which is highly contagious and deadly among domestic poultry, was confirmed by lab tests late Thursday, Crescent Duck Farm President Doug Corwin said in an interview this morning.
The farm began euthanizing its inventory, which Corwin said numbered just over 99,000 birds, over the weekend. The culling process is ongoing, with officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture on-site. A quarantine is in place, with strict biosecurity measures in place, including restricted access, to ensure that the virus remains contained, Corwin said.
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, an influenza type A virus, is carried by wild birds, which can be infected with the virus but show no signs of illness, according to USDA. Wild birds can carry the disease to new areas when migrating, potentially exposing domestic poultry to the virus. There is currently no treatment for the virus, which can wipe out entire flocks within a matter of days. For that reason, euthanizing flocks is generally the only way to ensure containment and protect other birds.
Avian influenza A viruses rarely infect people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which considers risk to the general public low. People who have job-related or recreational exposures to infected birds are at higher risk of infection, the CDC says. The virus is not known to be transmissible among humans.
No one at Crescent Duck Farm is known to have contracted the virus, Corwin said. Everyone is being monitored.
The Suffolk County Health Department said in a statement late yesterday that the “county is working with state agencies to ensure public health and safety. There is minimal risk to public health.”
The current U.S. outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, an influenza type A virus, began in February 2022 and has affected nearly 139 million birds across all 50 states and Puerto Rico, including 652 commercial folks and 779 backyard flocks, according to the most recent data published by the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
Future of Long Island’s last duck farm is uncertain
Doug Corwin surrounded by 4-day-old ducklings on his family’s Aquebogue duck farm, Long Island’s last. RiverheadLOCAL/ Denise Civiletti (2020 file photo)
Corwin said the outbreak at his family’s farm leaves its future up in the air. After culling operations are completed, which will take about a week, a massive cleanup will be undertaken.
“I’ve got to get all these facilities totally washed out, totally disinfected, totally scrubbed. Then APHIS comes back and swabs everything to make sure there’s no viral particles in all of the barns, then at that point in time, the quarantine would be lifted,” Corwin said. “It’s going to be a two, three month process,” he said. “It’s a huge, huge task.”
“Does it mean I’m going to start up again? I’ve got a lot of hurdles to overcome to start up again,” Corwin said. “You don’t snap your fingers and — you have to realize that the reason that I’m in business is my genetics are so different from my competition that I’ve got tremendous demand in the restaurant trade,” he said.
Corwin, a fourth-generation co-owner of the family duck farm, has worked in the business since he graduated from college. Crescent Duck Farm, in operation since 1908, has over the past 70 or 80 years, “developed a meatier bird that has enough skin fat to make it really, really succulent when you cook it, without making it overly fatty.” For that reason, it’s the duck of choice among the “white-tablecloth trade” to which his business caters. That selective breeding is “what’s kept us in business,” Corwin said.
The state is working with Crescent Duck Farm to try to preserve the genetic material the Corwins developed over the span of decades. Corwin said it’s possible the eggs he’s got from prior to the outbreak will meet testing requirements and can be hatched at another hatchery. That remains to be seen, he said.
“I normally keep 7,000 or so females laying eggs,” he said. “Hopefully there’s enough genetic diversity there” to make starting from scratch successful.
“That might be the basis of being able to start up again —might, might,” Corwin said. “I can’t say that yet because — I’m talking like a year or two down the road,” he said.
Females don’t lay eggs until they’re six months old. First the eggs must be hatched, which takes time, then the birds have to grow, and the farm would have to build up its population.
“You’ve got to realize I’ve got a huge overhead here,” Corwin said. “This isn’t a little farm stand type operation. It’s not like I can go to Agway and buy some seed,” he said.
“There’s a huge amount of pride in what we’ve developed and grown here,” Corwin said. “We sell to the best of the best purveyors. We sell to the best of the best restaurants.”
But it’s a very complicated business. “The only reason I’m in it is because I was born in it. I got a good education. I loved it. I still love it. This is my life,” Corwin, now 66, said.
“Now we employ 75 people, of which at least 46 or 47are laid off at this point in time,” he said. Nearly all of them are long-time employees. “People stay here, families stay here with me,” he said.
The past several days have taken a toll. “The tears… I couldn’t walk through this place in the last week without crying,” after telling his workers what was going on. “As soon as I got the diagnosis, I talked to everybody. I knew what this thing was. It was like Covid for ducks. Everything ended.”
If Crescent Duck Farm has a future, it will be in the hands of the next generation, he said. “But it’s a big nut,” he said. They’re going to have to decide and if they really want it, “I will do my best to support them and make sure it happens for them,” Corwin said.
“It would be a one- to two-year fight to get going again.”
Corwin said the farm has “phenomenal community support” government support too. “I’ve always tried to do the right thing in life,” he said. “We put $5 million in capital investment building a waste treatment plant here. That’s huge. We get nitrogen levels well below drinking water quality,” Corwin said.
“I hate to throw it away,” he said, recalling the sadness he felt watching dozens of other duck farms go out of business.
Duck farming along the Peconic River and its creeks and tributaries began in Riverhead in the late 19th Century. It became a major sector of the agricultural industry on Long Island, where 100 duck farms once flourished. The region became famous for the Pekin ducks grown here.
“I always wanted to die a duck farmer and I don’t know if I’m going to be able to do that at this point,” Corwin said.
“Right now I’ve gotta get through this, one step at a time, one day at a time,” he said. He realizes the legacy not just of the family farm, but of the legacy of duck farming in the entire region is on the line.
“This is iconic,” Corwin said. “I don’t really want the only Long Island ducks to be baseball players.”
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The recent outbreak of bird flu has forced the closure of Long Island’s last remaining duck farm as the culling of 99,000 birds is currently underway. This devastating news has rocked the local community and raised concerns about the future of the poultry industry in the area.
The outbreak, which was confirmed by the United States Department of Agriculture, has prompted officials to take swift action to prevent the spread of the highly contagious virus. The affected farm, located in Suffolk County, has been ordered to euthanize all of its ducks in an effort to contain the outbreak and protect other poultry farms in the region.
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the constant threat that diseases like bird flu pose to the agriculture industry. The closure of Long Island’s last duck farm will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the local economy and the livelihoods of those who rely on the farm for their income.
As the culling of the birds continues, authorities are urging poultry farmers and residents to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the virus. It is a challenging time for the community, but with proper measures in place, hopefully, the outbreak can be contained and the industry can eventually recover.
Tags:
Bird flu outbreak, Long Island duck farm, culling of birds, avian influenza, poultry industry, animal disease, public health concern
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Anne of the Islands and Tales of Avonlea by Montgomery, Lucy Maud
Price : 6.14
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Anne of the Islands and Tales of Avonlea are two classic novels written by the beloved Canadian author, Lucy Maud Montgomery.
In Anne of the Islands, we follow the adventures of Anne Shirley as she leaves Green Gables to attend college in Kingsport. Anne faces new challenges and experiences as she navigates the ups and downs of young adulthood, all while staying true to her imaginative and spirited nature. This coming-of-age story is filled with heartwarming moments, laughter, and of course, plenty of Anne’s trademark charm.
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