Hawaii braces for Hurricane Lowell
Threats of cyclones and deadly surf as the Category 3 storm path approaches Hawaiian islands on Monday night.
Hurricane Lowell, a major Category 3 storm in the Pacific Ocean, has crept closer to the Hawaiian islands with forecasters warning the weather systems could unleash tornadoes on the islands of Kauai and Niihau.
On Sunday, the United States National Hurricane Center issued emergency hurricane and tropical storm warnings for the island chain, advising residents and visitors to brace for severe windstorms and possible mudslides as early as Monday night local time. Lowell is predicted to skirt just west of Hawaii’s most northwest main islands, Niihau and Kauai, as well as portions of the vast Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, tracking from south to north.
Kauai faces potential coastal flooding of up to 1 metre (3 feet) caused by rolling storm surges and unusually high tides.
Hawaii’s Big Island can expect as much as 100mm to 200mm (4 inches to 8 inches) of rain, with localized peaks reaching up to 305mm (12 inches).