City and state highway crews have suspended much of their normal work to prepare for potential flooding from Tropical Storm Felicia.

The state began clearing storm drains and cutting back trees last week, said Tammy Mori, state Department of Transportation spokeswoman.

Preparations also included lining up eight backup generators for Honolulu International Airport and portable medical trailers, Mori said.

The state Harbors Division planned to relocate vessels to safe havens and has been securing loose objects around harbors and piers, she said. Twelve crews, with heavy equipment, were on standby for when the storm hits.

"They're more in a response mode now because they've been preparing since last week," Mori said.

City crews continued clearing debris and sand yesterday in Manoa, Waikele, Ma'akua and Ulehawa streams, said Jeoffrey Cudiamat, city facility maintenance director. Four truckloads of sediment were removed from the bridge on Woodlawn Drive, he said.

People have been calling about problems and the city has been inspecting and helping where it can, he said.

Crews also removed boulders at Po'ola Ditch near Wai'alae Ike while others worked at Kauhale Ditch in 'Aiea, Kiapoko Ditch in Waialua and Poka'i Bay Ditch, he said.

"We've suspended all our other operations, like street paving," Cudiamat said. "We've reallocated our crews to prepare for the storm."

Staffers from each district are also preparing sandbags, with Kane'ohe reporting 200 made and Kailua 50, he said.

Bob Thurston, who lives near Ka'elepulu Stream in Kailua, which overflowed and flooded his property last year, said he's concerned that the stream's mouth is not yet opened, but Cudiamat said that will be done by today.

Thurston was not reassured because sand has filled the stream to the bridge at Kailua Beach Park and, he said, it will take a lot of time to do the work.

The city put in more drainage at the park to ease flooding, but the drain pipe flows to the stream and if it's under water, it won't drain, he said.

"If it starts raining ahead of (tonight's) schedule, if they don't do anything before that, we could be flooded real quick," Thurston said.

Laura Johnson, whose Lualualei home was swamped with mud and debris last December, said she'll be watching.

"I'm vigilant," she said. "I don't think I will be sleeping very well. I'll probably get up a few times."

Johnson was among several residents whose homes were flooded when Pu'uhulu Stream overflowed due to a man-made blockage. The blockage has been removed, and Johnson said government has made sure the area is cleared, but she's still concerned.

"We're still cleaning up because it was 1 acre wide and 5 feet deep" in December, she said.