Hawaii residents told to expect tropical storm conditions as Hurricane Lowell passes to the west
LIHUE, Hawaii (AP) — Officials in Hawaii urged residents and visitors to prepare for heavy rains, flooding and possibly mudslides as Hurricane Lowell , a major Category 3 storm, prompted the National Hurricane Center to issue a tropical storm warning for two…
Officials in Hawaii have advised residents and visitors to prepare for potentially hazardous conditions as Hurricane Lowell, a Category 3 storm, approaches the state from the west. The National Hurricane Center has issued a tropical storm warning for the islands of Kauai and Niihau. The storm is forecast to pass the islands to the west late Monday and Tuesday while moving north.
Forecasters predict rainfall amounts of 6-10 inches (15-25 centimeters) in Kauai and Niihau, with maximum totals of up to 14 inches (36 centimeters) possible. The Big Island of Hawaii is expected to receive 4-8 inches (10-20 centimeters) of rain, with some areas potentially seeing up to 12 inches (30 centimeters).
Hurricane-force winds of up to 125 mph (205 kph) are currently extending outward 50 miles (85 kilometers) from the storm's center, while tropical storm-force winds extend outward 175 miles (280 kilometers). The combination of storm surge and rising tides could lead to flooding of up to 3 feet (1 meter) in normally dry coastal areas on Kauai.
Local authorities are urging residents to take precautionary measures, including filling gas tanks, charging devices, refilling prescriptions, and ensuring adequate supplies of food and water. Emergency management agencies are advising residents to be prepared to remain indoors for several days due to the potential for significant flash flooding and mudslides.
Written by urgent.news from Associated Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
