Hurricane Lowell prompts warnings for Kauai and Niihau

Hurricane Lowell closed in on western Hawaii on Monday as a major Category 3 storm, prompting hurricane warnings for Kauai and Niihau and urgent calls for residents to finish preparations before dangerous winds, flooding rain and storm surge arrive.

The National Weather Service said Lowell was expected to pass west of Kauai and Niihau late Monday and early Tuesday morning. A tropical storm warning was in effect for Oahu, and the hurricane warning also extended to parts of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, which covers almost 583,000 square miles of ocean and 10 of Hawaii’s islands.

“Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion,” the weather service said.

Lowell had maximum sustained winds of 115 mph Monday morning local time, with hurricane-force winds extending up to 60 miles from its center, according to forecasters. The National Hurricane Center said the storm’s center was forecast to move just west of the main Hawaiian Islands, near Niihau, on Monday night, then slow down by early Wednesday after passing the island chain.

“Gradual weakening is expected through Tuesday. However, Lowell is forecast to remain a hurricane as it passes near the Hawaiian Islands,” the center said.

Kauai County Mayor Derek Kawakami urged residents to be off the roads by midday Monday.

“Over the past 24 hours we have watched this system veer closer to us, too close for comfort,” Kawakami said. “I hope you have spent these last few days preparing for the worst. If you are still making last-minute preparations, finish them this morning.”

Niihau, less than 20 miles southwest of Kauai, does not have a mayor and is part of Kauai County.

Forecasters warned Lowell could bring 6 to 10 inches of rain to Kauai, with up to 16 inches in some areas. The Big Island could receive 4 to 8 inches, with up to 12 inches possible, while Oahu and Maui County could see 4 to 8 inches and up to 10 inches in some locations. The National Hurricane Center said the rainfall could cause “significant” flash flooding and mudslides, especially in Kauai County and parts of the Big Island.

Storm surge of 2 to 4 feet was expected, including up to 4 feet in Kauai County, while Oahu could see up to 1 foot. Forecasters also warned of life-threatening surf and rip currents across many Hawaiian islands. Several tornadoes could form near Kauai and Niihau from Monday afternoon through Monday night, with a few possible elsewhere in Hawaii.

Gov. Josh Green said state and county offices in Kauai, including public schools, would be closed until Tuesday. He urged residents to follow local guidance and remain indoors.

“Closing offices, schools and courts will help keep people off the roads during dangerous conditions and allow emergency crews to focus on protecting our communities,” Green said.

The Kauai Emergency Management Agency urged residents to fill gas tanks, charge devices, refill prescriptions and gather water and food, saying people should be ready to stay home for several days. The county water department recommended stocking drinking water and filling buckets and bathtubs for non-drinking use.

Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines said they planned to suspend flights at Lihue, Kauai’s only airport, as early as 11 a.m. Monday. “We will reassess the forecast and airport conditions in Lihue this evening to determine plans to resume flights tomorrow,” the airlines said, adding that travelers could change or cancel affected flights without fees. United Airlines said it was monitoring conditions and offering travel waivers.

Lowell previously reached Category 5 strength before weakening. It is one of three cyclones that have churned in the Pacific over the past week, along with Hurricane Karina and Hurricane Marie, which brought rain and high surf to Southern California. NBC News reported that the activity is consistent with expectations for El Niño, a natural climate pattern marked by warmer-than-usual sea surface temperatures in parts of the Pacific.

Hawaii is still recovering from Tropical Storm Lala, which hit the Big Island last month with heavy rain and flooding. At least one person died in a storm-related car crash and more than 100,000 people lost power. Tropical Storm Moke brought more rain a week later.

Residents on Kauai began preparing days before Lowell’s arrival. A manager at Kauai’s only Home Depot told NBC affiliate KHNL that preparations started as early as Wednesday, and the station reported the store sold out of generators, tarps and other emergency gear.

Resident Nouveau Naumu told KHNL he remembered Hurricane Iniki, which hit Hawaii in 1992, from when he was 10 years old. “I just remember the high winds, us kind of huddling in the bathroom and things were just hitting the house, all the debris, and then waking up the next morning you could see the devastation,” Naumu said.