Hurricane Lowell approaches Hawaii as Category 3 storm, prompting warnings and flood alerts
Category 3 Hurricane Lowell is moving toward Hawaii, bringing heavy rain, flash flooding and high surf, leading officials to issue a hurricane warning for Kauai County and a state of emergency.
Powerful Hurricane Lowell is tracking north-northeast toward Hawaii, with the National Hurricane Center reporting sustained winds of 115 mph and a position about 455 miles southwest of Lihue. The storm is expected to pass within 100 to 150 miles west-southwest of Kauai late Monday into early Tuesday, according to forecasters.
A hurricane warning has been issued for Kauai County and parts of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. High surf advisories cover the islands, with waves projected to reach up to 14 feet and potentially as high as 20 feet along south- and west-facing coasts.
State officials have declared a state of emergency. Rain from the storm’s outer bands has already caused flash flooding on Oahu, including along the Kamehameha Highway north of Waikane. Forecasts call for gusts of 30 to 40 mph and additional heavy rainfall on Oahu beginning Monday afternoon.
"Lowell is currently steered by an upper-level trough/low north of the Hawaiian Chain, which is pulling Lowell sharply northward," the forecast center said.
While computer models suggest the hurricane will remain offshore, its large wind field means the western Hawaiian Islands will still experience significant impacts. The storm is expected to weaken and its tropical-storm-force winds to diminish by Tuesday evening, reducing the threat of rough surf and coastal flooding.