Hurricane Lowell causes widespread damage and power outages on Kauai

Hurricane Lowell passed just west of Kauai and Niihau on Monday as a Category 2 hurricane, bringing tropical-storm-force winds, heavy rain and flash flooding that lifted a home off its foundation and split it in two on the island’s south shore. The storm also displaced cars in a Sheraton hotel parking lot and filled the hotel’s pool with sand, while extensive damage was reported across homes and roads.

The National Weather Service recorded preliminary rainfall totals of up to 21 inches on Kauai and issued the state’s first tornado watch. Around 80% of homes and businesses – more than 30,000 customers – remain without electricity, and officials warned that power could be out for several days or longer.

Kauai County Mayor Derek Kawakami said crews have been dispatched islandwide to assess the aftermath. Residents shared images of fallen trees, downed power lines and damaged properties on social media, and drone footage captured widespread destruction.

Oahu experienced wind gusts up to 50 mph and nearly 10 inches of rain, with one death reported, though authorities have not confirmed it was storm-related. The hurricane has since weakened to a tropical storm and is moving away, but lingering moisture may bring additional rain to the islands.

The event follows a series of recent storms in Hawaii, including Hurricane Lala and Tropical Storm Moke, and coincides with an active Pacific storm pattern linked to a strong El Niño that NOAA predicts could become the strongest on record.