Hurricane Lowell Weakens After Battering Kauai, Leaving Flood Watches and Surf Warnings
Hurricane Lowell, which reached Category 3 status, passed west of Hawaii’s islands, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to Kauai before weakening into a tropical storm. The storm caused significant wind gusts and rainfall but avoided direct landfall, with the National Hurricane Center noting its offshore track spared the islands from the most severe impacts. Hawaii declared a state of emergency as Lowell became the third major storm to threaten the state in three weeks, amid an unusually active Pacific hurricane season.
Key points
- Hurricane Lowell passed approximately 130 miles west of Ni’ihau and 170 miles west of Kauai between Monday evening and Tuesday morning, avoiding direct landfall.
- Kauai experienced sustained winds of 51-54 mph with gusts reaching 79-84 mph, while rainfall totals ranged from 2 to 14 inches across the state.
- Lowell weakened to a tropical storm by Tuesday evening, moving north-northwest at 14-15 mph, 310-390 miles from Lihue, Kauai.
- Hawaii Governor Josh Green declared a state of emergency, citing infrastructure damage from previous storms and the need for emergency response resources.
- A Flood Watch remains in effect for Hawaii Island through Wednesday afternoon, with dangerous surf and rip currents expected along exposed coastlines.
Background
Lowell is the third major storm to threaten Hawaii in three weeks, following Tropical Storm Lala and Tropical Storm Moke. Lala caused at least $43 million in infrastructure damage on the Big Island and $4.6 million in home damage. The Pacific is experiencing an unusually active hurricane season, with three simultaneous hurricanes (Karina, Lowell, Marie) marking the first triple-hurricane stretch in a decade. NOAA warns the current El Niño is forecast to become the strongest in 40-70 years, potentially increasing extreme weather frequency.
How outlets are covering it
The New York Times emphasized local resilience, noting residents proceeded with holiday plans and events despite the storm. CNN focused on the storm’s final track and weakening status. Hawaii News Now provided detailed wind and rainfall data, highlighting the downgrade to tropical storm. The Guardian contextualized Lowell within a broader climate crisis, linking it to record-breaking El Niño conditions and unprecedented Pacific hurricane activity. All sources agree on the storm’s offshore path sparing the islands from direct impact, but differ in emphasis: NYT on community response, CNN on meteorological tracking, Hawaii News Now on immediate impacts, and The Guardian on long-term climate trends.
Why it matters
Lowell’s passage highlights Hawaii’s vulnerability to increasingly intense and frequent storms, exacerbated by El Niño. The state’s emergency declaration and ongoing flood/surf warnings underscore the need for robust disaster preparedness. The triple-hurricane event signals a shift in Pacific weather patterns, with potential implications for global climate models and regional infrastructure resilience.
What to watch
Lowell is forecast to move northwest and then west, moving further from Hawaii. A Flood Watch remains for Hawaii Island through Wednesday afternoon, with dangerous surf and rip currents expected along exposed coastlines for the next day or so. Residents are advised to maintain hurricane plans and supply kits, as the active hurricane season continues.
- Kauai Braces for Heavy Rain and Wind as Hurricane Lowell Approaches nytimes.com
- Hurricane Lowell makes final turn toward Hawaii as islands brace for impacts CNN
- Hurricane Lowell moving north-northeast, Kauai County now under hurricane warning Hawaii News Now
- Hawaii declares state of emergency as Hurricane Lowell approaches islands The Guardian
- Kauai, Niihau under hurricane watch as Lowell approaches Honolulu Star-Advertiser
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