Rainbands from Hurricane Lowell spread over parts of Hawaii early Monday as forecasters warned that the Category 3 storm could bring hurricane-force winds, flooding rain, dangerous surf and storm surge to Kauai County and portions of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.
The Central Pacific Hurricane Center said Lowell had maximum sustained winds of 115 mph and was moving north-northeast at 10 mph.
Download the Straight Arrow app today to get the stories that matter free from manipulation, bias or agenda.™
Point phone camera here
Forecasters said hurricane conditions were expected in Kauai County beginning Monday afternoon or evening. Lowell’s center was expected to move just west of the main Hawaiian Islands, Monday night. The storm was forecast to weaken gradually through Tuesday but remain a hurricane as it passed near Hawaii.
Flooding, surf and tornado risks grow
Officials warned that Lowell could produce additional rainfall of 6 to 10 inches on Kauai, with isolated totals up to 14 inches. Forecasters said the rain could trigger significant flash flooding and mudslides, especially on Kauai and parts of the Big Island.
Several tornadoes were possible near Kauai and Niihau from Monday afternoon through Monday night, with a few tornadoes also possible elsewhere in the Hawaiian Islands. Swells from Lowell were expected to cause life-threatening surf and rip currents for several days.
Officials urge residents to prepare
State emergency officials urged residents to review family emergency plans, sign up for local alerts and be prepared for power outages caused by high winds or flooding. Hawaii Gov. Josh Green previously issued an emergency proclamation to allow state agencies and counties to move people, equipment and resources quickly.
“Our state is still recovering from Lala, and we are not waiting for another storm to get close before preparing,” Green said in a statement. “This proclamation gives our agencies and counties the flexibility to move people, equipment and resources quickly so we can protect communities across every island.”
Marie brings dangerous surf
Farther east in the Pacific, Tropical Storm Marie was expected to continue producing dangerous beach conditions along parts of the Baja California Peninsula and Southern California for the next couple of days, the National Hurricane Center said Monday.
Marie was centered about 705 miles southwest of San Diego at 8 a.m. Pacific time. It had maximum sustained winds of 65 mph and was moving west-northwest at 7 mph. No coastal watches or warnings were in effect, but swells from the storm were likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
“Swells generated by Marie will continue to affect portions of the coast of southwest Mexico, the Baja California Peninsula, and Southern California for the next few days,” the National Hurricane Center said. “These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.”
ABC 7 Los Angeles reported ocean water was “inundating” parking lots near the Seal Beach Pier, and inching closer to beachfront properties. A video obtained by the local news station showed a dozen people pushing a vehicle overwhelmed by the flooding in a parking lot Saturday.
El Niño adds uncertainty
The storms come as meteorologists monitor warming in the equatorial Pacific that could strengthen into a powerful El Niño pattern. Forecasters say stronger El Niño events can shift storm tracks and rainfall patterns worldwide, raising the risk of sharp swings between heavy rain and dry conditions.
In the United States, a stronger El Niño can bring wetter conditions to parts of the South, hotter and drier conditions to parts of the Plains and increased uncertainty in the West. Scientists cautioned that the precise effects remain difficult to predict, especially for the most extreme events.
In an interview with Straight Arrow, National Weather Service Meteorologist Jared Maples said the pattern underscores the need for emergency managers and residents to stay ready even when forecast impacts are uncertain.
“These systems are a reminder that preparedness cannot wait until the last minute,” Maples said. “People should know their evacuation routes, have supplies ready and keep checking official forecasts as conditions change.”
Round out your reading
- Lawyer says 57 Cornell frat members were in the group chat. Could their silence be a crime?
- Florida county discovers mysterious Flock cameras with no obvious owner.
- Off Script: They won their primaries on one message. Now it’s disappearing.
- Some question whether a popular affordable housing policy is making the nation’s home shortage worse.
- Kelvin wave incoming: Why the US should care.
