Hurricane Lowell rolls in: rain, flash floods and a statewide “hunker‑down” call

When the National Hurricane Center first put a tropical‑storm warning on Kauai and Niihau, the mood in the islands shifted from “just another sunny day” to “better stock up now.” Hurricane Lowell, a Category 3 system packing 120 mph (195 kph) winds, was cruising about 545 miles south‑south‑west of Lihue and heading north at a lazy six miles per hour.

Forecasters say the rain‑maker could dump anywhere from six to ten inches of water across the islands, with isolated spots seeing as much as 14 inches. The Big Island isn’t getting a pass either – expect four to eight inches, and some valleys could swell to 12 inches. That kind of precipitation isn’t just inconvenient; it’s a recipe for flash flooding, mudslides and a surge that could raise coastal waters up to three feet.

Wind‑fields are no joke either. Hurricane‑force gusts stretch out roughly 50 miles from the eye, while tropical‑storm‑force winds fan out about 175 miles. In plain language: even if you’re not in the direct path, you’ll feel the squeeze.

The Kauai Emergency Management Agency has been ringing the alarm bells. Their checklist reads almost like a prep‑list for any disaster: fill the gas tank, charge phones, refill prescriptions, and stash enough water and non‑perishable food to last several days. They’re also warning that power outages are likely, and that residents should be ready to stay home.

In the town of Lihue, home to about 8,000 people and the island’s main airport, grocery aisles have been thinning out as locals hoard essentials. One real‑estate agent, Lori Benkert, says she bought a 10‑pound propane tank “just in case we lose power,” and she’s already boarded up two western‑side houses she manages. “We’ll lose some power, probably have some trees—lots of limbs coming down,” she told reporters, adding that most people are just planning to hunker down.

While Lowell is the headline over the Pacific, another storm is stirring up trouble farther north. Hurricane Marie, a Category 1 system, is churning the waters off Baja California and sending dangerous surf and rip currents toward Southern California. No coastal watches are in place yet, but the swells are expected to linger for several days, making beach outings risky.

So, whether you’re on the wind‑whipped slopes of Kauai or watching the surf roll in on a California beach, the advice is the same: stay informed, prepare early, and expect nature to have the final word for a little while.