Hurricane Lowell Threatens Hawaii: Rain, Flooding and Power Outages on the Horizon

On Monday night, the National Hurricane Center in Miami finally sounded the alarm for Hawaii, issuing a tropical‑storm warning for Kauai and the tiny island of Niihau as Hurricane Lowell swirled westward. The storm, a full‑blown Category 3 hurricane with sustained winds near 120 mph, was expected to brush the islands from the west late Monday and into Tuesday.

Forecasters are bracing for a deluge – anywhere from six to ten inches of rain could blanket most of the islands, with local pockets possibly seeing as much as 14 inches. The Big Island isn’t being spared either; experts say 4‑8 inches is likely, with some spots peaking at 12 inches. That amount of water will almost certainly trigger flash flooding and mudslides, especially in the steep, rain‑soaked terrain.

Beyond the rain, the storm’s sheer size is a concern. Hurricane‑force winds extend roughly 50 miles from Lowell’s eye, while tropical‑storm‑force gusts reach out about 175 miles. In practical terms, that means strong gusts, power outages and a good chance that tree limbs will litter roads. The Kauai Emergency Management Agency urged everyone – residents and visitors alike – to top off gas tanks, charge phones, refill prescriptions, and stock up on food and water. They also warned that some neighborhoods might have to stay put for several days.

Local voices are already feeling the tension. Lori Benkert, a real‑estate agent on Kauai, bought an extra 10‑pound propane tank “just in case” the power goes out, and she’s boarded up two houses on the island’s western side. “We’ll lose some power, probably have some trees and a bunch of limbs falling,” she said, adding that most people are simply “hunkering down.” In Lihue, the town of about 8,000, grocery shelves are already thinning as families grab supplies.

While Lowell is the main story for Hawaii, another system, Hurricane Marie, is whipping up dangerous surf along the coasts of Mexico’s Baja California and Southern California. Although no warnings are in effect there, the swells could create life‑threatening rip currents for the next few days.

Authorities continue to monitor Lowell’s path. At the time of writing, the storm sat roughly 545 miles south‑southwest of Lihue, drifting north at about six miles per hour. Residents are advised to stay tuned to local updates and be ready for rain‑related hazards through the weekend.