Hurricane Lowell approaches Kauaʻi County with destructive winds, flooding, storm surge and tornado threat, Hawaii

Hurricane Lowell was moving north-northeast toward the western Hawaiian Islands at 30 km/h (18 mph) at 20:00 HST on September 7 (06:00 UTC on September 8), according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC) and Central Pacific Hurricane Center.

At the time, its center was located about 215 km (135 miles) southwest of Līhuʻe and 335 km (210 miles) west of Honolulu. The system had maximum sustained winds of 175 km/h (110 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 961 hPa.

A Hurricane Warning remained in effect for Kauaʻi County, including Kauaʻi and Niʻihau, while a Tropical Storm Warning covered Oʻahu. NHC forecast the core of Lowell to pass near or just west of Niʻihau overnight and early September 8 before the cyclone turns toward the northwest and slows after passing the main Hawaiian Islands.

Hurricane-force winds extended outward as far as 110 km (70 miles) from Lowell’s center, while tropical-storm-force winds extended as far as 280 km (175 miles). A station at Waimea on Kauaʻi’s south-central coast measured sustained winds of 79 km/h (49 mph) with a gust to 109 km/h (68 mph). Meanwhile, Līhuʻe Airport measured sustained winds of 64 km/h (40 mph) with a gust to 84 km/h (52 mph).

NHC forecast another 100–200 mm (4–8 inches) of rain across Kauaʻi, with maximum storm totals reaching 610 mm (24 inches) in isolated areas. Additional rainfall of 75–200 mm (3–8 inches) was forecast for the Big Island, with isolated storm totals reaching 305 mm (12 inches), while Oʻahu and Maui County were forecast to receive another 50–125 mm (2–5 inches) with isolated storm totals near 255 mm (10 inches).

The rainfall is expected to produce significant flash flooding and mudslides, particularly across Kauaʻi County and portions of the Big Island.

Flooding was already affecting Kauaʻi before Lowell’s closest approach, with Kūhiō Highway near Hanalei Bridge closed after water covered the roadway. Kauaʻi County advised residents not to drive through flooded roads or around barricades.

Kauaʻi officials also closed or suspended a range of public facilities and services as conditions deteriorated. Līhuʻe Airport closed at 14:30 HST on September 7, regular refuse collection was suspended, county parks and campgrounds were closed, and regular Kauaʻi Bus operations were disrupted while buses supported transportation to refuge areas.

Emergency refuge areas were opened for residents unable to remain safely in coastal or other exposed locations. Kauaʻi’s Department of Water asked customers to conserve water because electrical failures affecting pumps and wells can interrupt supply or reduce pressure.

State and Kauaʻi County offices, public schools, Kauaʻi Community College and state judiciary facilities on the island were ordered closed on September 8, while essential government and emergency services remained operational.

NHC forecast storm-surge inundation of 0.6–1.2 m (2–4 feet) above ground somewhere in Kauaʻi County if peak surge coincides with high tide, with the highest values expected along the south coast of Kauaʻi and on Niʻihau. Surge on Oʻahu was forecast to reach up to 0.3 m (1 foot) above ground in vulnerable areas.

Large waves were expected to accompany the surge near the storm’s track, increasing the coastal inundation hazard. NHC also warned that swells generated by Lowell would continue producing life-threatening surf and rip-current conditions across portions of the Hawaiian Islands for several days.

Several tornadoes are possible near Kauaʻi and Niʻihau through the overnight period, with a few possible elsewhere across the Hawaiian Islands, NHC said.

The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Honolulu issued Hawaii’s first-ever Tornado Watch at 16:13 HST on September 7 (02:13 UTC on September 8), as Lowell approached Kauaʻi. Tornado Watch 1 covered all of Kauaʻi County, including Līhuʻe, and remains in effect until 04:00 HST (14:00 UTC) on September 8.

The watch was later extended across the adjacent coastal waters, including the Kauaʻi Northwest Waters, Kauaʻi Windward Waters, Kauaʻi Leeward Waters and Kauaʻi Channel. NWS said atmospheric conditions were favorable for tornadoes in and close to the watch area and advised residents to monitor later statements and possible warnings.

Tropical-storm conditions were expected across Oʻahu overnight into September 8. NHC forecast additional rainfall there and warned that strong wind gusts, particularly in higher terrain, could damage trees and disrupt electrical service.

Lowell is forecast to weaken during the following several days but remain a hurricane during its passage near the Hawaiian Islands overnight. NHC expects the cyclone to fall below hurricane intensity after it clears the islands, while uncertainty increases later in the forecast period as Lowell interacts with changing upper-level steering conditions.

References

¹ Hurricane Lowell Intermediate Advisory Number 48A – NHC/CPHC – September 8, 2026

² 5 p.m., Sept. 7, County of Kauaʻi, Hurricane Lowell Update – County of Kauaʻi / Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency – September 7, 2026

³ State and county offices, public schools, community college and judiciary facilities in Kauaʻi County to close Tuesday due to Hurricane Lowell – Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency – September 7, 2026

⁴ Tornado Watch 1 – NWS/Honolulu – September 7, 2026