Hawaii Braces for Hurricane Lowell

Hawaii is bracing for significant impacts as Hurricane Lowell, a major Category 3 storm, approaches the western Hawaiian Islands. Forecasters anticipate the storm's core will pass to the west of the main islands late Monday, September 7, and into Tuesday, September 8, bringing the threat of destructive winds, heavy rainfall, flooding, and dangerous surf. A Hurricane Warning was in effect for Kauai County, including Kauai and Niihau, with tropical storm warnings issued for Oahu. As of Sunday, September 6, Lowell was packing maximum sustained winds of approximately 120 to 125 mph. While the storm is expected to weaken slightly as it nears the islands, it is forecast to remain a hurricane during its closest approach. Hurricane-force winds extend up to 60 miles from the storm's center, with tropical-storm-force winds reaching up to 175 miles. Rainfall totals are projected to be substantial, with Kauai and Niihau expected to receive six to 10 inches, and isolated amounts up to 14 inches. Oahu and Maui County could see four to eight inches, with up to 10 inches in some areas, while the Big Island may receive four to eight inches, with isolated totals reaching 12 inches.