Residents and visitors across parts of the Hawaiian archipelago are bracing for heavy rains, coastal flooding, and potential mudslides as Hurricane Lowell tracks westward. The Miami-based National Hurricane Center issued a tropical storm warning for Kauai and Niihau as the formidable Category 3 storm passes the islands while traveling north.
Tracking Hurricane Lowell and the Path Ahead
As of late Sunday, Hurricane Lowell carried maximum sustained winds of 125 mph according to the Associated Press, while ABC News noted maximum sustained winds of 120 mph as the system moved north at roughly 5 to 6 mph. The storm was located approximately 535 to 575 miles south-southwest of Lihue, and roughly 555 to 595 miles south-southwest of Honolulu.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 50 miles from the center, while tropical storm-force winds reach up to 175 miles out. Forecasters predict rainfall totals of 6 to 10 inches, with maximums reaching up to 14 inches on Kauai and Niihau. Meanwhile, Hawaii’s Big Island anticipates 4 to 8 inches of rain, with isolated spots potentially seeing up to 12 inches.
Emergency Preparations Underway in Kauai
In Lihue, a town of 8,000 residents that houses Kauai’s primary airport, supermarket shelves are emptying as locals stock up on essentials. The Kauai Emergency Management Agency urged residents to fill gas tanks, charge electronic devices, refill prescriptions, and secure ample food and water while preparing to stay home for several days.
Real estate agent Lori Benkert, who manages dozens of properties on Kauai and boarded up two houses on the western side of the island, secured an extra 10-pound container of propane to cook on her barbecue if the grid fails. We’ll lose some power, probably have some trees, a bunch of tree limbs coming down,
Benkert said, adding, Everybody is probably going just to hunker down.
Forecasters warn that the combination of storm surge and tides will likely cause normally dry areas near the coast to flood with rising waters of up to 3 feet on Kauai. Significant flash flooding and mudslides remain a primary hazard across saturated terrain.
Simultaneous Pacific Threats Bring Dangerous Surf to the Mainland
While Hawaii prepares for Lowell, the broader Pacific basin remains active. Hurricane Marie, a separate Category 1 storm, churned off the coast of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula, generating life-threatening surf and dangerous rip currents that impact portions of southwest Mexico, Baja California, and Southern California.
According to the National Hurricane Center via Associated Press and ABC News reporting, Marie was located roughly 695 to 800 miles west-southwest of the Baja California peninsula’s southern tip and San Diego, packing maximum sustained winds between 75 and 80 mph. Although no coastal watches or warnings were in effect for the U.S. mainland, forecasters advise beachgoers to exercise extreme caution as heavy swells persist along the Pacific coast.
Staying Safe Through the Storm
As Hurricane Lowell continues its northward trajectory past Kauai and Niihau, local authorities emphasize adherence to official advisories. Residents in vulnerable zones should monitor updates from the National Weather Service, finalize emergency kits, and remain indoors until conditions safely improve.
How are you and your community preparing for severe weather events this season? Share your thoughts and local preparedness tips in the comments below.
