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Hurricane warning issued as Lowell approaches western Hawaii
San Francisco Chronicle • • general
Key Points:
- Hurricane Lowell, now a Category 2 storm with 110 mph winds, is accelerating toward Kauai and Niihau, expected to bring hurricane conditions, heavy rainfall, flooding, and destructive surf starting Monday night into Tuesday.
- The National Weather Service issued Hawaii’s first-ever tornado watch for Kauai and Niihau, indicating favorable conditions for tornado formation as the storm approaches.
- Kauai officials have urged residents to complete preparations and stay indoors by midday Monday; Governor Josh Green ordered closures of all Kauai schools and state and county offices on Tuesday.
- The storm is forecasted to produce waves up to 30 feet, with 4 to 8 inches of rain and isolated totals up to 12 inches, raising risks of flooding, mudslides, and coastal damage; some power outages have already been reported.
- The last major hurricane to hit Kauai was Hurricane Iniki in 1992; Oahu is also under a tropical storm warning with potential for heavy rain and flash flooding.
