Hurricane Lowell Turns Toward Hawaii, Prompting Warnings and Emergency Preparations

Hurricane Lowell, a Category 3 storm with 125 mph winds, is turning north toward Hawaii, triggering tropical storm warnings for Kauai and Niihau. The core is expected to remain offshore, but Hawaii will face dangerous surf and heavy rainfall (6–8 inches across Kauai, Niihau, and the Big Island, with isolated totals over 12 inches). Hawaii Gov. Josh Green declared a state of emergency as El Niño fuels more central Pacific storms this season, and forecasters warn of significant flash flooding and mudslides in steep terrain.