Hurricane Local Statement
043
WTHW80 PHFO 080312
HLSHFO
HIZ001-003-004-006-007-009>011-015>018-022-023-026>054-081115-
Hurricane Lowell Local Statement Advisory Number 48
National Weather Service Honolulu HI EP122026
512 PM HST Mon Sep 7 2026
This product covers the Hawaiian islands
**DANGEROUS CONDITIONS EXPECTED FOR NIIHAU, KAUAI, AND OAHU, WITH
FLASH FLOODING DAMAGING WAVES AND HIGH WINDS EXPECTED FROM
LOWELL**
NEW INFORMATION
---------------
* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- None
* 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 Warning 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 170 miles southwest of Lihue or about 230 miles
west-southwest of Honolulu
- 20.3N 161.3W
- Storm Intensity 110 mph
- Movement North-northeast or 25 degrees at 18 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------
Hurricane Lowell continues to move toward the north-northeast and
approach the state. As the center of Lowell passes west of Niihau
tonight, expect damaging winds, heavy flooding rainfall, and extremely
dangerous and damaging surf to occur over portions of the Hawaiian
Islands and possibly persist into Tuesday morning. A Hurricane Warning
remains in effect for Kauai and Niihau, and a Tropical Storm Warning
is in effect for Oahu. Preparations should be complete on Kauai County
and should be rushed to completion on Oahu.
Damaging tropical storm force winds are now occurring on Kauai and
Niihau and may spread to Oahu during the evening. Several stations on
southern Kauai, including Lihue Airport, have already been measuring
sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph. Hurricane conditions are expected over
portions of Kauai County as early as this evening, with the highest
probability of hurricane force winds occurring on Niihau this evening.
It is important to note that winds can be accelerated over and downwind
of terrain, leading to areas of stronger wind gusts. As winds shift
from east to southeast this afternoon to south overnight, areas
affected by downslope wind gusts will likely change.
The threat of heavy rain will increase considerably tonight. Heavy
downpours could lead to flash flooding and mudslides, especially in
steep terrain, and rainbands could become persistent and anchored in
some areas, exacerbating the flash flood threat. The risk of flash
flooding is greatest for Kauai and Niihau, where many stations have
measured 2 to 5 inches of rain today. The flood threat also exists for
all other islands due to deep moisture surrounding Lowell. Over
20 inches of rain is possible over portions of Kauai, mainly over the
interior mountains, and up 12 inches remains possible over southeast
Big Island.
An extremely large south to southwest swell generated by Lowell will
continue to rapidly build through the evening and peak tonight. A High
Surf Warning is in effect for south-facing shores of all islands and
for west-facing shores of the Big Island. Dangerously large and
damaging surf and coastal inundation are expected along the immediate
coast of exposed south- and west-facing shores, particularly on Kauai
and Niihau and possibly Oahu. The highest surf may reach 20 to 30 feet
on Kauai and Niihau tonight, then rapidly diminish on Tuesday. Extra
large surf, on top of 1 to 4 feet of storm surge, will generate major
wave run-up and coastal inundation along exposed low lying areas of
south- and west-facing shores, particularly for Kauai and Niihau and
possibly for Oahu.
Conditions will be conducive for fast-moving, short-lived waterspouts
and tornadoes in the rainbands associated with Lowell, mainly near
Kauai and Niihau. This threat will continue through tonight, then
diminish quickly Tuesday morning.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------
* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
Kauai and Niihau. Remain well sheltered from life-threatening wind
impacts. If realized, these impacts include:
- Structural damage to sturdy buildings, some with complete roof
and wall failures. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Damage
greatly accentuated by large airborne projectiles. Locations
may be uninhabitable for weeks or months.
- Numerous large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and
roadway signs blown over.
- Many roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
or heavily wooded places. Many bridges, causeways, and access
routes impassable.
- Widespread power and communications outages.
Potential impacts from the main wind event will develop across Oahu
this evening. Remain well sheltered from wind having limited to
extensive impacts.
Elsewhere across the Hawaiian islands, little to no impact is
anticipated.
* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are unfolding across
Kauai and Niihau. Remain well guarded against life-threatening flood
waters having extensive impacts. If realized, these 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.
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are unfolding across the
rest of the State of Hawaii. Remain well guarded against dangerous
flood waters having significant impacts.
* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge and damaging surf event are now
unfolding across Kauai and Niihau. Remain well away from life-threatening
surge and extremely large surf having significant impacts. If realized,
these impacts 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, very large surf may produce
coastal inundation and some impacts to shoreline infrastructure.
* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are unfolding across Kauai and
Niihau. Remain well braced against a dangerous tornado event having
possible significant impacts. If realized, these 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 State of Hawaii.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------
* EVACUATIONS:
Follow the advice of local officials
* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to stay inside and away from windows. Listen for
updates and be ready in case you lose electrical power. Keep a
battery-powered radio, charged cell phone and flashlight handy.
During the peak of the storm be ready to move quickly. Keep your
shoes on and rain gear handy. Boots and athletic shoes offer the
best foot protection if you become unexpectedly exposed to the
weather.
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.
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.
Keep your cell phone charged and in power-saving mode. If you lose
power, use it sparingly and mainly for personal emergencies and
check-ins.
If you are prone to flooding be prepared for the possibility of a
quick and dramatic rise in water levels.
If a tornado warning is issued for your area, quickly move to the
safest place within your shelter. Protect your head and body.
* 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
-----------
The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Honolulu HI around 1100 PM HST, or sooner if conditions
warrant.