Hurricane Lowell's 30-foot surge devastates Kauai coastline, leaving 32,000 without power

Key points

• Hurricane Lowell passed near Hawaii on Sept. 8 as a Category 2 storm with 110 mph sustained winds, causing heavy rainfall and damaging winds.
• Kauai experienced the most severe impact, with approximately 90% of customers losing power and 30-foot storm-driven swells destroying oceanfront properties.
• One person, a homeless man on Oahu, died when a tree fell on him during the storm, according to Hawaii Gov. Josh Green.
• As of Sept. 9, more than 32,000 people remained without power, and the National Hurricane Center downgraded Lowell to a tropical storm.
• The storm was the third in three weeks to threaten Hawaii, part of a surge in Pacific activity linked to a strong El Niño.

Background

Hurricane Lowell followed a pattern of intense Pacific activity in late 2026. Earlier in September, Hurricane Lala caused severe flooding on the Big Island, and Tropical Storm Moke brought rain to the region. NOAA has noted that the current El Niño could become the strongest on record, contributing to a higher frequency of storms in the Pacific basin.

How outlets are covering it

Outlets varied in their focus on the storm's impact. USA TODAY highlighted the immediate danger to media personnel, noting a meteorologist was nearly toppled by waves in Kauai, and emphasized the one fatality on Oahu. The Honolulu Star-Advertiser provided granular detail on the physical destruction, describing how 30-foot swells lifted homes off foundations and eroded the coastline by up to 15 feet in some areas. KSL.com focused on the human experience, detailing the panic-buying and logistical chaos faced by tourists and residents as the storm approached. While all sources agree on the severity of the damage, the Star-Advertiser emphasized the unique nature of the coastal erosion compared to previous storms like Hurricane Iniki, whereas USA TODAY focused on the broader regional power outages and official warnings.

Why it matters

The event underscores the increasing intensity of Pacific storms due to El Niño and highlights the vulnerability of coastal infrastructure in Hawaii. The significant power outages and property damage will have long-term economic and social impacts on the islands, particularly for communities that rely on tourism and coastal access. The incident also serves as a reminder of the need for robust emergency preparedness and evacuation protocols in the face of escalating climate-related weather events.

What to watch

Recovery efforts are underway, with local mayors coordinating to support residents and clear debris. The National Hurricane Center expects Lowell to continue weakening over the coming days. Residents are advised to remain cautious of downed trees, utility poles, and power lines, as well as potential lingering rain and flooding. Power restoration is expected to be a gradual process given the extent of the damage to the grid.