Hurricane Local Statement
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Hurricane Lowell Local Statement Advisory Number 46
National Weather Service Honolulu HI EP122026
511 AM HST Mon Sep 7 2026
This product covers the Hawaiian islands
**HURRICANE WARNING IN EFFECT FOR KAUAI COUNTY AND TROPICAL STORM
WATCH ISSUED FOR OAHU**
NEW INFORMATION
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* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Central Oahu, East
Honolulu, Ewa Plain, Honolulu Metro, Koolau Leeward, Koolau
Windward, Oahu North Shore, Olomana, Waianae Coast, and Waianae
Mountains
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Kauai East, Kauai
Mountains, Kauai North, Kauai South, Kauai Southwest, and Niihau
- A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Central Oahu, East
Honolulu, Ewa Plain, Honolulu Metro, Koolau Leeward, Koolau
Windward, Oahu North Shore, Olomana, Waianae Coast, and Waianae
Mountains
* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 370 miles southwest of Lihue
- 17.5N 162.6W
- Storm Intensity 115 mph
- Movement North-northeast or 25 degrees at 14 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
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At 5 AM HST, the eye of major Hurricane Lowell was located about 375
miles southwest of Lihue. Lowell has maximum sustained winds of 115
mph, and is moving NNE at 14 mph. Lowell is expected to accelerate
through Tuesday while gradually weakening. The current track of
Lowell has shifted farther east, putting the closest approach of the
eye of Lowell roughly 50 miles west of Niihau Monday night into
Tuesday.
Winds will gradually strengthen locally through today, reaching
hurricane strength (sustained 74 mph or higher) this evening on
Kauai and Niihau as the eastern side of Lowell's circulation passes
just west Niihau. Current track forecast and trends have Lowell
shifting farther east, closer to Niihau. If this trend continues,
Niihau and Kauai could experience winds and/or gusts of hurricane
strength or greater (sustained 74 mph or higher), especially where
terrain enhances wind speeds. A Hurricane Warning is in effect for
Niihau and Kauai. With winds peaking tonight, plan to have your
preparations for damaging winds complete by midday. The strongest
gusts over Kauai and Niihau are expected where winds are accelerated
by terrain.
A Tropical Storm Watch is now in effect for Oahu, as winds to
tropical storm strength (sustained 39 mph to 73 mph) are now more
likely due to the eastward shift in the track.
A very large shield of deep tropical moisture surrounding Lowell is
now well-established over the main Hawaiian islands, increasing the
threat of heavy rain and isolated thunderstorms. Squally downpours
could lead to flash flooding and/or mudslides, especially in steep
terrain. Rainbands could become persistent and anchored in some
areas, exacerbating the flash flood threat. The risk of flash
flooding and mudslides is greatest for Kauai and Niihau, but also
exists for all other islands due to the extent of the moisture
associated with Lowell. Over 15 inches of rain is possible over
portions of Kauai, mainly over the interior mountains. A foot or
more is possible over southeast Big Island.
Surf is expected to rapidly build through today and into tonight
along south and west facing shores. A High Surf Warning is in effect
for all islands for south-facing shores, and also west-facing shores
of the Big Island, through tonight. Dangerously large surf and
coastal inundation are expected along the immediate coast of exposed
south- and west-facing shores, particularly Niihau, Kauai and
possibly Oahu. The highest surf may reach 20 to 30 feet on Kauai and
Niihau by tonight before diminishing Tuesday. Extra large surf, on
top of 1 to 3 feet of storm surge and peak afternoon high tides,
will generate major wave run-up and coastal inundation along exposed
low lying areas of south- and west-facing shores, particularly for
Niihau and Kauai, and possibly for Oahu.
This afternoon, conditions will become favorable for fast-moving,
short-lived waterspouts and tornadoes in the rainbands associated
with Lowell, especially near Kauai and Niihau. This threat will
continue into tonight, then diminish quickly Tuesday morning.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------
* WIND:
Protect against life-threatening wind having possible extensive
impacts across Niihau and Kauai. Potential impacts in this area
include:
- Considerable roof damage to sturdy buildings, with some having
window, door, and garage door failures leading to structural
damage. Mobile homes severely damaged, with some destroyed.
Damage accentuated by airborne projectiles. Locations may be
uninhabitable for weeks.
- Many large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and
roadway signs blown over.
- Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
or heavily wooded places. Several bridges, causeways, and
access routes impassable.
- Large areas with power and communications outages.
Also, protect against dangerous wind having possible limited to
significant impacts across Oahu.
* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across Niihau and Kauai. 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.
Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible
significant impacts across all other islands.
* SURGE:
Protect against life-threatening surge having possible significant
impacts across Niihau and Kauai. Potential impacts in
this area include:
- Areas of inundation with storm surge flooding accentuated by
waves. Damage to several buildings, mainly near the coast.
- Sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads become
weakened or washed out, especially in usually vulnerable low
spots.
- Major beach erosion with heavy surf overtopping nearby roadways.
- Moderate damage to marinas, docks, and piers. Several small
craft broken away from moorings, especially in unprotected
anchorages.
Elsewhere across the Hawaiian islands, little to no impact is
anticipated.
* TORNADOES:
Prepare for a dangerous tornado event having possible significant
impacts across Niihau and Kauai. 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 complete all preparations to protect life and
property in accordance with your emergency plan. Ensure you are in a
safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding.
If you are relocating to safe shelter, leave as early as possible.
Allow extra time to reach your destination. Many roads and bridges
will be closed once strong winds arrive. Check the latest weather
forecast before departing and drive with caution.
If heading to a community shelter, become familiar with the shelter
rules before arrival, especially if you have special needs or have
pets. Take essential items with you from your Emergency Supplies Kit.
Failure to adequately shelter may result in serious injury or loss of
life. Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with any
orders that are issued. Remember, during the storm 9 1 1 Emergency
Services may not be able to immediately respond if conditions are
unsafe. This should be a big factor in your decision making.
Keep cell phones well charged. Cell phone chargers for automobiles
can be helpful, but be aware of your risk for deadly carbon monoxide
poisoning if your car is left idling in a garage or other poorly
ventilated area.
It is important to remain calm, informed, and focused during an
emergency. Be patient and helpful with those you encounter.
If you are a visitor, be sure to know the name of the city or town in
which you are staying and the name of the county or parish in which
it resides. Listen for these locations in local news updates. Pay
attention for instructions from local authorities.
Storm surge is the leading killer associated with tropical storms and
hurricanes! Make sure you are in a safe area away from the surge
zone. Even if you are not in a surge-prone area, you could find
yourself cutoff by flood waters during and after the storm. Heed
evacuation orders issued by the local authorities.
Rapidly rising flood waters are deadly. If you are in a flood-prone
area, consider moving to higher ground. Never drive through a flooded
roadway. Remember, turn around don't drown!
If a Tornado Warning is issued for your area, be ready to shelter
quickly, preferably away from windows and in an interior room not
prone to flooding. If driving, scan the roadside for quick shelter
options.
If in a place that is vulnerable to high wind, such as near large
trees, a manufactured home, upper floors of a high-rise building, or
on a boat, consider moving to a safer shelter before the onset of
strong winds or flooding.
Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets
for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes
to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather
warnings.
* 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 HI around 11 AM HST, or sooner if conditions
warrant.