Torrential rains, winds from Hurricane Lowell leaves 30,000 without power | Weather News
Hurricane Lowell Causes Widespread Damage in Hawaii, Evacuations Ordered
Kauai, Hawaii — Hurricane Lowell, a Category 1 storm, skirted Hawaii’s western island of Kauai, leaving a trail of destruction, power outages, and evacuations in its wake. As of Tuesday morning, at least 30,000 residents were without electricity, and extensive damage was reported across the island.
The hurricane’s powerful winds and heavy rainfall resulted in significant destruction, including downed trees and damaged beachside roads. Although the storm did not make landfall, its effects were felt strongly from approximately 80 miles off the island, according to the Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency.
By early Tuesday, nearly 92 percent of customers served by the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) lost power. Wind gusts reached approximately 85 mph (137 km/h), leading to flooding on coastal roads and forcing around 300 residents to evacuate.
The center of Hurricane Lowell moved north into open waters overnight but left behind dangerous surf conditions that are expected to affect Southern California’s coast for several days, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
Emergency management officials have urged residents to conserve water and refrain from traveling to allow crews to safely assess damage and restore services. Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami reported “extensive damage” and emphasized the need for community cooperation during the recovery process.
“Everyone’s participation has moved from preparation to sheltering to staying off roads to gathering data and information,” Kawakami stated.
The Kauai County government has advised residents to shelter in place, enabling crews to clear debris and restore power more efficiently.
Eric Blake from the National Hurricane Center noted that risks of flooding and mudslides will persist throughout the day. By early Tuesday, the storm’s sustained winds had diminished, with forecasts indicating gradual weakening in the coming days.
In its latest advisory, the National Hurricane Center reported that Lowell had maximum sustained winds of around 65 mph and was tracking north at 14 mph. Hurricane warnings for Kauai and the nearby island of Niihau, which has a population of fewer than 100, were lifted by Tuesday morning, though high surf and hazardous rip currents may continue to impact Hawaii’s coasts for the next couple of days. A tropical storm warning for Oahu was also rescinded.
