Monster Hurricane Lowell Threatens Hawaii with Massive Waves, Tornado Watch Issued for Kauai

Hurricane Lowell is bearing down on Hawaii's western islands, with forecasters warning of life-threatening storm surge, flash flooding, and the potential for rare tornadoes as the Category 2 storm makes its closest approach to Kauai and Niihau.

HONOLULU – Hurricane Lowell is lashing Hawaii with torrential rain and destructive surf as the powerful storm makes its closest pass near the western islands, triggering a hurricane warning for Kauai and Niihau and a tornado watch for Kauai County .

The storm, which briefly reached Category 5 strength earlier this week, had maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 km/h) as of Monday evening, just shy of major Category 3 status . Its center was located approximately 90 miles west of Lihue, Kauai, moving north-northeast at 18 mph .

A Rare and Dangerous Threat

While the core of the hurricane is expected to remain offshore, the impacts are being felt across the state . The combination of storm surge and tides could raise water levels 2 to 4 feet above normally dry ground in parts of Kauai County, with the highest levels expected along Kauai's south coast and on Niihau . Large, destructive waves could worsen coastal flooding.

Swells generated by Lowell are producing life-threatening surf conditions, with waves reaching:

• 20 to 30 feet on Kauai and Niihau 

Tornado Watch Issued

Adding to the danger, the National Weather Service issued a tornado watch for Kauai County in effect through Tuesday morning . While tornadoes are extremely rare in Hawaii — with only 42 reported between 1950 and 2018 — hurricanes can spawn them in their outer rain bands . Tropical tornadoes tend to form in the right-front quadrant of a storm's path, placing Kauai and Niihau in an area conducive to these dangerous spin-ups .

"Conditions are favorable for tornadoes in and close to the watch area," the NWS warned . Residents were urged to stay indoors, remain alert for threatening weather, and listen for later statements and possible warnings .

Schools Closed, State of Emergency Declared

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green declared a statewide emergency on Thursday to mobilize resources, and has ordered the closure of all public schools and University of Hawaii campuses on Oahu and Kauai for Tuesday . State and county offices on Kauai and Niihau will also be closed .

"Closing offices, schools and courts will help keep people off the roads during dangerous conditions and allow emergency crews to focus on protecting our communities," Green said .

Kauai County has established five refuge areas and closed all parks and campgrounds in anticipation of the storm . Residents in Lihue were seen stocking up on food and water as supermarket shelves emptied .

'We Are Preparing for the Worst'

"We are preparing for the worst," said Kauai Emergency Management Agency Administrator Elton Ushio. "We are treating it as if we are preparing for a direct hit" .

The hurricane is expected to dump up to 24 inches of rain on parts of Kauai, with flash flooding and mudslides already reported . Kilohana, a historical landmark on Kauai, has already seen nearly 14 inches of rainfall in 24 hours . Several roads across the islands were closed Monday due to flooding and debris .

Lowell is the third storm to affect Hawaii in just over three weeks, following Hurricanes Lala and Moke, as El Niño supercharges the Pacific hurricane season .

This is a developing story. Conditions are expected to peak Monday night into Tuesday morning as Lowell passes closest to the islands.