Overview
- Lowell is a major Category 4 hurricane south of Hawaii that briefly reached Category 5 this week and is forecast to slow and turn sharply north with its closest approach to the western islands expected Monday.
- The National Hurricane Center says where and how sharply Lowell turns is highly uncertain and that a modest eastward shift would bring hurricane-force winds and storm surge to Kauai and Niihau.
- Dangerous ocean conditions are already present with advisory-level surf and life‑threatening rip currents on south-facing shores while forecasts call for commonly 3–6 inches of rain and isolated totals over 10 inches that can trigger flash flooding and mudslides.
- Governor Josh Green declared a statewide emergency and state officials have pre-positioned equipment including six high‑water vehicles and readied the Hawaiʻi National Guard to speed response and recovery operations.
- Rapid intensity swings have been driven by very warm central Pacific waters under a strong El Niño, and aircraft and drone reconnaissance are being used to refine the forecast as officials warn timing with Monday’s high tides could worsen coastal flooding.