Hurricane Local Statement
195
WTHW80 PHFO 060324
HLSHFO
HIZ001-003-004-006-007-009>011-015>018-022-023-026>054-061130-
Hurricane Lowell Local Statement Advisory Number 40
National Weather Service Honolulu HI EP122026
524 PM HST Sat Sep 5 2026
This product covers the main Hawaiian Islands
**HURRICANE LOWELL EXPECTED TO TURN TOWARD THE NORTH SUNDAY AND
PASS JUST WEST OF THE MAIN HAWAIIAN ISLANDS MONDAY NIGHT**
NEW INFORMATION
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* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Kauai East, Kauai
Mountains, Kauai North, Kauai South, Kauai Southwest, and Niihau
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Kauai East, Kauai
Mountains, Kauai North, Kauai South, Kauai Southwest, and Niihau
* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 630 miles south-southwest of Lihue or about 640 miles
southwest of Honolulu
- 13.7N 163.4W
- Storm Intensity 130 mph
- Movement West-northwest or 300 degrees at 5 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------
At 5 pm HST, the eye of major Hurricane Lowell was located about
630 miles south-southwest of Lihue, Kauai. Lowell is a category 4
hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph, and is now moving
toward the west-northwest at 5 mph. Lowell is expected to continue
to turn more toward the north or north-northeast tonight into Sunday,
followed by an increase in forward speed Sunday night and Monday. Some
fluctuations in intensity are expected tonight and early Sunday, with
gradual weakening expected Sunday into Monday. The eye of Lowell is
currently forecast to make it's closest approach to the main Hawaiian
Islands Monday night, passing 100 to 200 miles west of Niihau. Remember
that significant impacts from a hurricane are far reaching and can
extend far from the center.
Strong and possibly damaging winds on the eastern side of Lowell's
circulation are expected to affect Kauai and Niihau as Hurricane Lowell
passes. Winds will increase on Monday as the hurricane approaches the
western end of the chain. Based on the current forecast, tropical
storm force winds, sustained 39 mph or higher, are possible later
Monday. Plan to have your preparations for damaging winds complete by
midday Monday, with winds peaking Monday night. Even higher gusts,
60 mph or more, are possible over Kauai and Niihau where winds are
accelerated by higher terrain.
Due to uncertainties in the exact track of this hurricane as it turns
northward, winds would be stronger if the Lowell comes closer to Kauai
and Niihau than currently expected. You are urged to continue to monitor
the progress of Lowell, listen for the latest forecast information, and
be prepared in case the forecast changes.
Starting later Sunday, a very large shield of deep tropical moisture
surrounding Lowell will spread northward over the main Hawaiian
islands from south to north, bringing increasing showers. Squally
downpours could lead to flash flooding, along with mudslides in steep
terrain. Rainbands could become persistent and anchored in some areas,
which would exacerbate the flash flood threat. The risk of flash
flooding and mudslides is greatest for Kauai and Niihau, but also
exists for other islands as well due to the extent of the moisture
associated with Lowell. Over a foot of rain is possible over portions
of Kauai, mainly over the interior mountains.
Surf is expected to increase quickly on south and west facing shores
Sunday night, reaching warning levels by Monday. Damaging surf and
some coastal inundation are expected along the immediate coast on
exposed south and west facing shores on Kauai and Niihau late Monday
and Monday night, before diminishing on Tuesday. Highest surf heights
in those areas may reach 20 to 30 feet, along with 1 to 3 feet of
coastal inundation.
Later on Monday, conditions will become favorable for fast-moving,
short-lived waterspouts and tornadoes in the rainbands associated
with Lowell, mainly near Kauai and Niihau. This threat will continue
into Monday night, then diminish quickly Tuesday morning.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------
* WIND:
Prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across Kauai
and Niihau. Potential impacts in this area include:
- Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored
mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about.
- Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or
uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are
shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over.
- A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban
or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on
bridges and other elevated roadways.
- Scattered power and communications outages.
Elsewhere across the Hawaiian islands, little to no impact is
anticipated.
* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across Kauai and Niihau. Potential impacts include:
- Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues.
- Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in
multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, arroyos, and
ditches may become dangerous rivers. In mountain areas,
destructive runoff may run quickly down valleys while
increasing susceptibility to rockslides and mudslides. Flood
control systems and barriers may become stressed.
- Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple
communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed
away. Many places where flood waters may cover escape routes.
Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with
underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous.
Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out.
Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant
impacts across the rest of the main Hawaiian Islands from Oahu to the
Big Island.
* SURGE:
Prepare for locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts
across Kauai and Niihau. Potential impacts in this area
include:
- Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along
immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas
farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore.
- Sections of near-shore roads and parking lots become overspread
with surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places where
surge water covers the road.
- Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainly
in usually vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents.
- Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks,
and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings.
Elsewhere across the Hawaiian islands, little to no impact is
anticipated.
* TORNADOES:
Prepare for a dangerous tornado event having possible significant
impacts across Kauai and Niihau. Potential impacts include:
- The occurrence of scattered tornadoes can hinder the execution
of emergency plans during tropical events.
- Several places may experience tornado damage with a few spots
of considerable damage, power loss, and communications failures.
- Locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses, mobile
homes demolished, boxcars overturned, large trees snapped or
uprooted, vehicles tumbled, and small boats tossed about.
Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll.
Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across the rest
of the main Hawaiian Islands from Oahu to the Big Island.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------
* EVACUATIONS:
Follow the advice of local officials.
* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to check your emergency plan and emergency supplies
kit and take necessary actions to protect your family and secure your
home or business.
When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the
exact forecast track since hazards such as flooding rain, damaging
wind gusts, storm surge, and tornadoes extend well away from the
center of the storm.
Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with orders that
are issued. Do not needlessly jeopardize your life or the lives of
others.
When securing your property, outside preparations should be concluded
as soon as possible before conditions deteriorate. The onset of
strong gusty winds or flooding can cause certain preparedness
activities to become unsafe.
Be sure to let friends and family members know of your intentions for
weathering the storm and your whereabouts. Have someone located away
from the threatened area serve as your point of contact. Share vital
contact information with others. Keep cell phones handy and charged.
Check on those who may not be fully aware of the situation or who are
unable to make personal preparations.
If you are a visitor, know the name of the county in which
you are located and where it is relative to current watches and
warnings. If staying at a hotel, ask the management staff about their
onsite disaster plan. Listen for evacuation orders, especially
pertaining to area visitors.
Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather Radio and local news
outlets for official storm information. Listen for possible changes
to the forecast.
There is a threat from tornadoes as Lowell passes by Kauai and Niihau.
Have multiple ways to receive Tornado Warnings. Be ready to shelter
quickly.
* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
- For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov
- For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org
- For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org
NEXT UPDATE
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The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Honolulu around 1130 PM HST, or sooner if conditions
warrant.