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Hawaii Preps for Hurricane Lowell's Approach
Confirmed
In Short: Residents in Hawaii are bracing for heavy rains and potential flooding as Hurricane Lowell, a Category 3 storm, moves westward.
LIHUE, Hawaii — Officials in Hawaii are urging residents and visitors to prepare for tropical storm conditions as Hurricane Lowell, a major Category 3 storm, approaches the islands. The National Hurricane Center issued a tropical storm warning for Kauai and Niihau, with Lowell forecast to pass the islands to the west late Monday while traveling north.
Hurricane Lowell had maximum sustained winds of 120 mph and was located about 535 miles south-southwest of Lihue, or about 555 miles southwest of Honolulu, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm is moving at 6 mph and is expected to bring heavy rainfall, with the Big Island anticipated to receive 4-8 inches, with some areas getting as much as 12 inches.
A combination of storm surge and tides will likely cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by waters of up to 3 feet on Kauai. Forecasters warn that hurricane-force winds and extremely dangerous surf are expected, with a tropical storm warning in effect for Kauai County. The storm is forecast to pass close to Hawaii late on Labor Day.
A shift in its projected path prompted a hurricane watch for Kauai County, meaning hurricane conditions are possible. The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency stated that tropical storm conditions are expected within 36 hours, and the storm is expected to approach Niihau and Kauai on Monday night and early Tuesday as a Category 1 or Category 2 hurricane.
What's confirmed
What's still developing
- The Kauai Emergency Management Agency urged residents to fill gas tanks, charge devices, refill prescriptions and have enough water and food ahead of the storm.
- It also said residents should be prepared to stay home for several days.
- In Lihue, a town of 8,000 with Kauai’s primary airport, residents were stocking up on food and water as supermarket shelves emptied.
- Forecasters said Marie was moving northwest at 7 mph (11 kph).
- Although no coastal watches or warnings were in effect, swells generated by Marie will continue to affect portions of southwest Mexico, the Baja California peninsula and Southern California for the next few days, the hurricane center said.