• 1 dead as Hurricane Lowell passes west of Niʻihau, knocks out power to 90% of Kauaʻi, Hawaii

    ByRishav Kothari

    One person died on Oʻahu as Hurricane Lowell passed the Hawaiian Islands late on September 7, 2026 (local time), while the storm’s core passed near Niʻihau with maximum sustained winds of 175 km/h (110 mph). Approximately 90% of Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative customers were without power the following morning, while numerous roads and Port Allen Small-Boat Harbor sustained severe damage. Preliminary National Weather Service (NWS) observations included a gust of approximately 150 km/h (92 mph) at Puʻu Lua and a 72-hour rainfall total of 536.2 mm (21.11 inches) at Kilohana.

  • First-ever Tornado Watch reported for Hawaii as Hurricane Lowell passes west of Niʻihau

    ByRishav Kothari

    The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a Tornado Watch 1 for Kauaʻi County, including Kauaʻi and Niʻihau, and adjacent coastal waters at 16:13 HST on September 7, 2026 (02:13 UTC on September 8), as Hurricane Lowell approached the western Hawaiian Islands. The watch, an exceptionally rare issuance for Hawaiʻi, remains in effect until 04:00 HST (14:00 UTC) on September 8, with several tornadoes possible near Kauaʻi and Niʻihau and a few possible elsewhere across the state.

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

    ByTeo Blašković

    Flooding and transportation disruptions were already affecting Kauaʻi late September 7, 2026, as Hurricane Lowell moved toward the island with maximum sustained winds of 175 km/h (110 mph). The hurricane was about 215 km (135 miles) southwest of Līhuʻe at 20:00 HST (06:00 UTC on September 8), with its core forecast to pass near or just west of Niʻihau overnight.

  • Hurricane Lowell weakens to Category 4 after briefly regaining Category 5, Hawaii under State of Emergency

    ByRishav Kothari

    Hurricane Lowell reached Category 5 strength with winds of 260 km/h (160 mph) before weakening slightly to Category 4 south of Hawaii late on September 4. Heavy rainfall, life-threatening surf and possible wind and storm-surge impacts remained forecast for portions of the state through early next week, particularly around Kauaʻi County.