Hurricane Lowell Brings Tropical Storm Conditions to Hawaii

On Monday night, the National Hurricane Center in Miami finally sounded the alarm for two of Hawaii’s islands – Kauai and Niihau – as Hurricane Lowell drifted west of the archipelago. The storm, still a solid Category 3 with sustained winds near 120 mph, is expected to scrape past the islands late Monday into Tuesday while heading north.

What does that mean for folks on the ground? Basically, be ready for tropical‑storm‑level rain, gusty winds and a whole lot of water. Forecast models are talking about 6 to 10 inches of rain across most of the islands, with some pockets possibly topping out at 14 inches. The Big Island isn’t getting left out either; it could see 4‑8 inches, and in the highest‑elevation spots, maybe as much as 12 inches.

Those numbers aren’t just soggy sweaters – they translate into real‑world problems. The Weather Center warned that flash flooding could be “significant,” and mudslides are a genuine concern, especially on the steeper slopes of Kauai. Coastal areas that are usually dry might suddenly find themselves waist‑deep in water, with storm surge and high tides pushing up to three feet inland.

Local officials are taking no chances. The Kauai Emergency Management Agency urged everyone – residents and tourists alike – to top off gas tanks, charge phones, refill prescriptions and stock up on water and non‑perishable food. “You might have to stay put for several days,” the agency said, a reminder that power outages and downed trees are likely.

In the town of Lihue, home to about 8,000 people and the island’s main airport, supermarkets are already seeing empty shelves as people scramble for supplies. One real‑estate agent, Lori Benkert, told reporters she bought an extra 10‑pound propane tank “just in case the power goes out,” and she’s boarded up two houses on the western side of the island. “We’ll lose some power, probably have some trees, a bunch of tree limbs coming down,” she said, chuckling nervously. “Everybody is probably going just to hunker down.”

Meanwhile, far to the north, Hurricane Marie – a Category 1 system – is tossing dangerous surf along the coasts of Baja California and Southern California. Though there are no formal warnings for Hawaii from Marie, the swells are expected to roll into the Pacific for the next few days, adding another layer of concern for surfers and beachgoers.

Bottom line: if you’re in Kauai, Niihau or anywhere nearby, treat the weather updates like you would a serious traffic jam – check often, plan ahead and don’t take unnecessary risks. And keep an eye on local emergency channels; the situation could change fast.