Hurricane Lowell has battered Hawaii with damaging winds, torrential rainfall and dangerous surf, with the island of Kauai suffering some of the most serious impacts as the powerful storm passed just west of the Hawaiian Islands.

Although Lowell’s center remained offshore, the hurricane came close enough to bring hurricane conditions to parts of Kauai and Niihau, while tropical-storm conditions affected Oahu. Floodwaters have inundated roads and properties, trees have been brought down and widespread power outages have been reported.

At its closest approach, Lowell was packing sustained winds of around 110 mph (175 km/h). By early Tuesday, as the system began moving away, winds had weakened to around 90 mph (150 km/h), but authorities warned that flash flooding remained a major threat.

Hawaii Declared a State of Emergency Ahead of Lowell

Hawaii had already declared a state of emergency as Lowell approached the islands, allowing authorities to mobilize resources and prepare for potentially severe impacts.

Kauai County was placed under a Hurricane Warning, including Kauai and Niihau, while Oahu was placed under a Tropical Storm Warning as the storm made its closest approach.

Officials urged residents to remain indoors, avoid flooded roads and continue following emergency instructions even after the center of the hurricane began moving away.

Up to 24 Inches of Rain Possible on Kauai

One of Lowell’s greatest threats has been its extraordinary rainfall.

The National Hurricane Center warned that storm totals could reach 24 inches — approximately 610 millimeters — in parts of Kauai. Additional heavy rainfall was also expected across the Big Island and other parts of the Hawaiian chain.

Such rainfall totals are capable of triggering significant flash flooding, landslides and debris flows, particularly in Hawaii’s mountainous terrain.

The danger did not end when Lowell passed its closest point to the islands. Moist tropical air continued feeding intense rainfall over the region.

Dramatic Flooding Reported Across Kauai

The effects were already visible on Kauai.

Fast-rising floodwaters submerged properties and blocked roads in Wainiha, while torrents of muddy water swept through communities on the island’s North Shore.

Flooding was also reported around Kapahi, while runoff carried large amounts of debris into Wailua Bay. Maui was affected as well, where flooding made portions of the road to Hana impassable to ordinary vehicles.

The combination of intense rainfall and saturated terrain means additional flooding and landslides remain possible even after conditions begin improving.

Powerful Winds Leave Kauai Facing Major Damage

Lowell’s winds also caused extensive disruption.

The National Weather Service recorded gusts reaching approximately 80 mph (129 km/h) across parts of Kauai and Oahu during the storm’s closest approach.

Reports from Kauai described fallen trees, blocked roads and damage to buildings as the storm moved through.

Power infrastructure suffered particularly severe disruption, with a large proportion of Kauai losing electricity during the height of the hurricane. Emergency crews have been working to restore services while authorities assess the full extent of the damage.

Dangerous Surf Pounds the Hawaiian Islands

Lowell also generated extremely dangerous waves and surf.

The National Weather Service warned of damaging surf and coastal impacts as the hurricane moved alongside the islands. Large swells combined with strong winds created potentially life-threatening conditions along exposed coastlines.

Residents and visitors have been urged to stay away from beaches, rocky shorelines and flooded coastal roads.

Tornado Risk Added Another Threat

As Lowell approached Hawaii, forecasters also warned of the possibility of short-lived tornadoes embedded within the storm’s outer rainbands.

Tropical cyclones can produce localized rotating thunderstorms far from their center, meaning dangerous conditions can develop even in areas that never experience the hurricane’s strongest winds.

The combination of flooding, damaging winds, huge waves and possible tornadoes made Lowell a multi-hazard event for the Hawaiian Islands.

Kauai Takes the Brunt as Lowell Passes West

At around 11 p.m. Hawaii time Monday, Lowell was located approximately 90 miles (145 kilometers) west of Lihue, with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph.

The hurricane was moving north-northeast at approximately 18 mph, placing its core just west of Niihau and Kauai.

By 5 a.m. Tuesday, Lowell had moved about 145 miles northwest of Lihue and weakened somewhat, with sustained winds near 90 mph.

That movement is gradually taking the hurricane away from Hawaii, but flooding caused by its moisture can persist long after the strongest winds have passed.

Full Cost of Hurricane Lowell Still Unknown

Early estimates cited in reports suggesting losses could reach hundreds of millions of dollars should be treated cautiously at this stage.

The final damage assessment has not yet been completed, and the extent of flooding, structural damage, agricultural losses and infrastructure disruption is still being determined.

What is already clear is that Lowell has caused significant disruption across Kauai, including widespread electricity outages, road closures and flooding.

Hawaii Faces an Exceptionally Active Tropical Season

Lowell’s impact comes during an unusually active period for tropical systems around Hawaii.

The islands have faced repeated threats from tropical cyclones and other heavy-rain events, increasing concerns about saturated soils, damaged infrastructure and the ability of communities to recover between storms.

For Kauai in particular, Lowell has become one of the most significant hurricane threats in decades, even though the center remained offshore.

Flooding Threat Continues After Hurricane Moves Away

Authorities stress that residents should not assume the emergency is over simply because Lowell is moving northward.

Flash flooding can continue after the strongest winds have subsided, while swollen rivers, landslides, damaged roads, fallen power lines and unstable trees can remain dangerous for hours or even days.

With some parts of Kauai potentially receiving up to two feet of rainfall, the focus is now shifting from surviving the hurricane’s closest approach to assessing damage and dealing with the extensive flooding left behind.