Hurricane Lowell approaches Kauai as officials issue warnings and closures

Hurricane Lowell accelerated toward the western Hawaiian islands on Monday evening, weakening slightly to a Category 2 storm but still expected to bring hurricane-force winds, heavy rain and large surf as it passes near Kauai and Niihau. At 5 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time, the storm was about 170 miles southwest of Lihue, Kauai’s largest city, with sustained winds of 110 mph and moving north-northeast at 18 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The National Weather Service issued Hawaii’s first tornado watch, in effect until 4 a.m. Tuesday, as conditions became favorable for tornadoes on Kauai and Niihau. A high-surf warning was also placed on the south-facing shores of the islands through Tuesday evening, with wave heights expected to rise from 7-10 feet to 20-30 feet and offshore waves potentially reaching 30-50 feet.

"Over the past 24 hours we have watched this system veer closer to us, too close for comfort," Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami said in a statement, urging residents to complete preparations and stay off roadways by midday.

National Weather Service forecasters warned of heavy rain, flooding and mudslides from Monday afternoon into Tuesday, with 4-8 inches of rain possible and isolated totals up to 12 inches. Coastal residents were advised to seek shelter with family or friends elsewhere, and Governor Josh Green ordered the closure of all Kauai schools and state and county offices on Tuesday.

Power outages affected about 144 customers, primarily in the eastern town of Wailua, while travelers crowded Lihue Airport on Sunday night to leave the island before the storm. The Kauai Marathon was cancelled on Saturday due to the approaching hurricane.

Oahu also received a tropical storm warning, with similar rainfall and flood risks anticipated.