Disasters & Incidents
Hurricane Lowell leaves 91% of Kauai without power
Hurricane Lowell left 91 percent of Kauai Island Utility Cooperative customers without power as it lashed Hawaii’s western islands with damaging winds, heavy rain and flooding, the utility reported Tuesday.
The Category 2 storm’s core passed overnight within about 40 miles of Niihau and 60 miles of Kauai, the archipelago’s two westernmost islands. Kauai has about 70,000 people, while Niihau is sparsely populated.
Kauai Island Utility Cooperative said damage assessments would begin as soon as weather conditions allowed and that there was no estimated restoration time for outages. On Oahu, home to Honolulu, Hawaiian Electric reported more than 20,000 customers without power. “Customers” can include households, businesses and industry.
Kauai emergency officials urged residents and visitors to stay off roads and avoid unnecessary travel so first responders and emergency crews could continue operations and assess widespread damage.
Lowell had sustained winds of about 110 mph during its closest approach. Forecasters had predicted four to eight inches of rain for Kauai, with potential for significant flash flooding and mudslides. Storm surge of two to four feet was expected to flood normally dry coastal areas.
Residents of Kauai and Niihau had earlier been warned to watch for tornadoes, though it was not immediately clear whether any formed.
Lowell briefly reached Category 5 strength last week. Hawaii is still recovering from Hurricane Lala, which grazed the southern part of the Big Island last month, bringing destructive winds and flash floods.
Update
Kauai Island Utility Cooperative reported power was out for 91 percent of customers.
Hawaiian Electric reported more than 20,000 customers without power on Oahu.
Lowell’s core passed within about 40 miles of Niihau and 60 miles of Kauai overnight.
Kauai emergency officials urged residents and visitors to stay off roads while crews assessed damage.
It was not immediately clear whether tornadoes formed after earlier warnings.
Source note: AFP news report published on 8 September 2026 at 15:46:27 UTC.
Update
Residents of Kauai were warned late Monday to watch for possible tornadoes.
The National Weather Service said conditions were favorable for tornadoes in and close to Kauai, including Lihue.
The National Hurricane Center said at 5:00 pm that Lowell was about 230 miles southwest of Honolulu with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph.
The latest forecast expected 4 to 8 inches of rain on Kauai and 3 to 8 inches on the Big Island.
Source note: AFP news report published on 8 September 2026 at 04:01:13 UTC.
Update
A hurricane warning was issued Monday for Kauai and Niihau.
The National Hurricane Center said Lowell's core was expected to pass just west of Niihau on Monday night or early Tuesday.
A tropical storm warning was issued for Oahu.
A flash flood warning was issued for Kauai.
The NHC said Lowell was about 355 miles southwest of Honolulu with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph.
Source note: AFP news report published on 7 September 2026 at 20:57:30 UTC.
Update
A hurricane watch was issued Sunday evening for Kauai and Niihau.
The National Hurricane Center said Lowell was about 525 miles southwest of Honolulu on Sunday evening.
The NHC expected Lowell to brush Hawaii's westernmost islands from Monday evening and move across parts of Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument on Monday night.
The NHC said Lowell had maximum sustained winds near 120 mph and up to 14 inches of additional rain was possible for Kauai.
The storm was expected to turn northwest and slow down by early Wednesday.
Source note: AFP news report published on 7 September 2026 at 03:38:50 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
It was not immediately clear whether tornadoes formed after earlier warnings for Kauai and Niihau.
The full extent of damage and outage restoration times had not yet been established.
Source
AFP news report published on .