Hawaii Under State of Emergency as Category 4 Hurricane Lowell Turns North

Hurricane Lowell, a Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph, was about 630 miles south-southwest of Lihue, Kauai, late Saturday afternoon Hawaii time and is forecast to turn north and pass just west of the main Hawaiian Islands on Monday night, according to the National Hurricane Center’s latest advisory. The center’s minimum pressure was 942 millibars, and the storm was moving west-northwest at about 5 mph. Forecasters said it may fluctuate in intensity through early Sunday, then gradually weaken Sunday and Monday.

The hurricane center has issued a hurricane watch for Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, from Nihoa to French Frigate Shoals, and a tropical storm watch for Kauai County, which includes Kauai and Niihau. Hurricane-force winds extend up to 45 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds up to 175 miles. Tropical-storm conditions are possible in Kauai County late Monday or Monday night, and hurricane conditions are possible in eastern parts of the monument Monday night. Forecasters said other islands should watch the storm’s progress.

The advisory’s hazards go beyond wind. Rainfall could reach 4 to 8 inches on Kauai, with isolated totals above 12 inches, 2 to 6 inches on the Big Island with isolated totals near 10, and 2 to 4 inches on Maui, with isolated totals near 8. Flash flooding and mudslides are possible, especially on Kauai and the Big Island. If the peak storm surge coincides with high tide, water could rise 1 to 3 feet above ground in Kauai County and up to 1 foot on Oahu, with large and destructive waves near the coast. Swells are expected to bring life-threatening surf and rip currents to many islands over the next several days.

The state moved early. On Thursday, Gov. Josh Green signed an emergency proclamation covering the whole state, naming Lowell, Hurricane Karina and Tropical Storm Marie, plus any other storms that could affect Hawaii, according to the governor’s office. The state is also still recovering from Tropical Cyclone Lala. “Our state is still recovering from Lala, and we are not waiting for another storm to get close before preparing,” Green said.

The proclamation authorizes activating Hawaii National Guard units to support civilian authorities and disaster relief, activates the state’s Major Disaster Fund and suspends the usual $10 million spending limit for a single emergency. It directs state agencies to provide personnel, materials, equipment and facilities, and temporarily streamlines procurement, contracting, hiring, permitting and repairs. Six high-water vehicles are being sent to Kauai. Green said the order “gives our agencies and counties the flexibility to move people, equipment and resources quickly.”

The proclamation does not order evacuations, set a curfew or close schools, businesses or government offices; those decisions would be announced separately by state or county authorities, the governor’s office said. The emergency period runs through Nov. 1 unless it is ended or replaced.