Hawaii Braces for Heavy Rain and Flooding as Hurricane Lowell Approaches
POLICY WIRE — Lihue, Hawaii — Authorities in Hawaii are advising residents and tourists to get ready for heavy rainfall, potential flooding, and possible mudslides as Hurricane Lowell, a powerful...
POLICY WIRE — Lihue, Hawaii — Authorities in Hawaii are advising residents and tourists to get ready for heavy rainfall, potential flooding, and possible mudslides as Hurricane Lowell, a powerful Category 3 storm, prompts the National Hurricane Center to issue a tropical storm warning for Kauai and Niihau.
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The Miami-based center also issued a hurricane watch for these islands, predicting that Lowell will pass to the west late Monday while moving north. Forecasters anticipate rainfall amounts ranging from 6 to 10 inches (15-25 cm), with isolated areas receiving up to 14 inches (36 cm).
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The Big Island of Hawaii is expected to see between 4 and 8 inches (10-20 cm) of rain, with some regions possibly getting as much as 12 inches (30 cm).
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As of the latest update, Lowell had maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 kph) and was situated approximately 535 miles (860 km) south-southwest of Lihue, or about 555 miles (895 km) southwest of Honolulu. The storm was advancing north at 6 mph (9 kph).
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Hurricane-force winds were extending up to 50 miles (85 km) from the center, and tropical storm-force winds were reaching out to 175 miles (280 km).
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The National Hurricane Center warned that the significant rainfall could lead to flash flooding and mudslides. Additionally, a combination of storm surge and tides may cause normally dry coastal areas on Kauai to be inundated by up to 3 feet (1 meter) of water.
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The Kauai Emergency Management Agency advised residents to fill their gas tanks, charge electronic devices, refill prescriptions, and stock up on water and food. They also recommended being prepared to stay at home for several days.
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In Lihue, a town of 8,000 people and home to Kauai’s main airport, residents were busy buying supplies, leading to empty shelves in local supermarkets.
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Lori Benkert, a real estate agent, purchased an extra 10-pound (4.5 kg) container of propane to ensure she can cook if the power goes out. Benkert, who manages numerous properties on Kauai, has already boarded up two houses on the island’s western side.
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We’ll likely some power, probably have some trees and a bunch of tree limbs coming down, Benkert said. “Everybody is probably going just to hunker down.”
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Meanwhile, Hurricane Marie, a Category 1 storm, is causing dangerous surf conditions along the coasts of Mexico’s Baja California and Southern California. Located about 695 miles (1,120 km) south-southwest of San Diego, Marie has maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 kph) and is moving northwest at 7 mph (11 kph).
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Although no coastal watches or warnings are in effect, swells generated by Marie are expected to continue affecting parts of southwest Mexico, the Baja California peninsula, and Southern California over the next few days. These swells could result in life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
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Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)