Parts of Kauai could see rainfall totals climb as high as 24 inches.
HAWAII, USA — Hurricane Lowell lashed Hawaii’s western islands early Tuesday with powerful winds and torrential rain, raising concerns about flash flooding, mudslides and possible tornadoes.
Kauai and Niihau remained under a hurricane warning on Tuesday, Sept. 8. Oahu, Hawaii’s most populous island with nearly 1 million residents, was under a tropical storm warning.
Although Lowell’s center was tracking west of the islands and moving farther away, its reach remained broad, with tropical storm-force winds extending roughly 200 miles, according to the National Hurricane Center. At Lihue Airport on Kauai, sustained winds were recorded at just over 50 mph.
The hurricane center reported gusts as high as 80 mph. By early Tuesday, however, sustained winds had eased, and forecasters expected Lowell to continue weakening over the next several days.
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green closed schools and government offices on the three islands for Tuesday ahead of the storm. Kauai has a population of over 73,000, while Niihau has fewer than 100 permanent residents.
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Damaging winds, heavy flooding and dangerous surf were expected across the islands through at least the morning and possibly all day, the National Weather Service warned.
Rainfall totals could reach up to 24 inches in some areas on Kauai.
In August, Tropical Storm Lala brushed past Hawaii and stirred up landslides, washing away about 100 homes and causing widespread power outages.
Marie downgraded but still being felt in California
What’s left of Hurricane Marie was downgraded again and is no longer considered a tropical storm.
But it was still creating dangerous surf conditions along the coast of Mexico’s Baja California and Southern California. Swells with life-threatening surf and rip current conditions will continue for the next few days, the hurricane center said.
