Hurricane Lowell Path and Updates: Hawaii Braces for 60 Centimetres of Rain and Severe Mudslides

Hawaiʻi is facing continued dangerous weather from Hurricane Lowell, with heavy rain, damaging winds, flooding, mudslides and hazardous surf affecting the western islands. A hurricane warning remains in effect for Kauaʻi and Niʻihau, while Oʻahu is under a tropical storm warning.

Governor Josh Green ordered state and county offices, public schools, University of Hawaiʻi campuses and Hawaiʻi State Judiciary facilities closed on Oʻahu and in Kauaʻi County on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

Lowell Passes West of Niʻihau

As of 10:58 p.m. HST Monday, Lowell was a Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph, moving north-northeast at 18 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

The storm had reached its closest point to the main Hawaiian Islands, passing west of Niʻihau while hurricane conditions affected Kauaʻi County and tropical-storm conditions extended to Oʻahu.

Lowell intensified rapidly earlier in the week before weakening as it approached Hawaiʻi. The storm represents a significant hurricane threat to the western Hawaiian Islands, with officials warning residents to prepare for rapidly changing conditions.

The event also prompted a rare tornado watch for Kauaʻi County, including Kauaʻi and Niʻihau. The National Weather Service warned that conditions could produce fast-moving, short-lived waterspouts and tornadoes, with the risk expected to diminish early Tuesday.

Flooding and Surf Risks

Rainfall remains a major concern, particularly across Kauaʻi's interior mountains. National Hurricane Center forecasts called for an additional 4 to 8 inches of rain on Kauaʻi, with isolated storm totals reaching 24 inches, about 60 centimetres, while up to 10 inches was forecast in parts of Oʻahu and Maui and up to 12 inches on the Big Island.

The rain follows last month's Tropical Storm Lala, which caused severe flooding and landslides on the Big Island, damaging or sweeping roughly 100 homes from their foundations and leaving widespread power outages.

Storm surge of 1 to 4 feet are possible along exposed areas of Kauaʻi and Niʻihau, alongside dangerous surf and coastal inundation. A High Surf Warning is also in effect for south-facing shores across the state, while hazardous surf also affected west-facing shores of the Big Island.

Closures Across Oʻahu and Kauaʻi

The closures cover state offices on Oʻahu and in Kauaʻi County, Honolulu and Kauaʻi county offices, public schools, University of Hawaiʻi campuses and Judiciary facilities in the affected areas. Public schools and UH campuses on Niʻihau were also included.

Kamehameha Schools said its Oʻahu and Kauaʻi campuses, preschools and offices would close on Tuesday. Schools in Maui and Hawaiʻi counties were expected to remain open unless local conditions required further changes.

'Closing offices, schools and courts will help keep people off the roads during dangerous conditions and allow emergency crews to focus on protecting our communities,' Green said in a news release. He urged residents to stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, remain away from shorelines and avoid driving through floodwaters.

Kauaʻi County includes Kauaʻi, home to more than 73,000 people, and Niʻihau, which has fewer than 100 residents.

Forecasts and conditions can change rapidly as Lowell moves away from the islands.

Residents should monitor the latest National Weather Service and local emergency-management updates, particularly in low-lying coastal areas and mountainous terrain vulnerable to flooding, rockslides and mudslide