Hurricane Lowell Threatens Hawaii: State of Emergency Declared as Category 3 Storm Approaches
Hurricane Lowell is currently heading towards Hawaii, posing a significant threat to the state's western islands. The Category 3 hurricane has already caused flash flooding on Oahu and is generating damaging surf along Hawaii's southern shores. A Hurricane Warning has been issued for KauaŹ»i County and parts of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. Lowell, with sustained winds of 115 mph, is expected to bring heavy rain, flash flooding, gusty winds, and damaging surf to the entire state as it approaches late Monday into early Tuesday.
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green declared a state of emergency in anticipation of Hurricane Lowell. The storm, initially a Category 5, weakened to a Category 3 before fluctuating to a Category 4. Despite forecasts suggesting that Lowell will pass west of Hawaii, its large wind field will still impact the Western Hawaiian Islands. Oahu will experience tropical-force wind gusts and heavy rainfall on Monday afternoon, with rough surf and high waves along the south and west-facing coastal areas of Kauai and Oahu, leading to a coastal flood threat.
As Lowell moves closer to the state, the storm is expected to accelerate northward and weaken, with tropical-storm-force winds diminishing by Tuesday evening. The rough surf along the Hawaiian Islands will also subside as the powerful winds decrease. Despite this, a flood threat remains as significant rainfall, ranging from 5 to 8 inches with localized amounts up to a foot, is expected across parts of the state.