Powerful Hurricane Lowell made a rare direct hit on Hawaii's western islands Monday night, bringing intense rain and wind that caused widespread power outages and flash flooding. The Category 2 storm prompted a rare tornado watch for parts of the state, the first issued by the National Weather Service in Honolulu since at least 2008.
Lowell's center was beginning to pull away north-northwest of Ni'ihau as a Category 2 storm with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph, moving north-northeast at 18 mph. The storm's center did not make landfall, but its closest approach was within twice the length of its maximum wind radius, qualifying it as a direct hit.
More than 60,000 customers were without power on Kaua'i and Oahu combined, with over 90% of Kaua'i in the dark. Kaua'i experienced the worst impacts, with wind gusts exceeding 80 mph on its eastern side. FOX Weather Correspondent Katie Byrne reported strong wind gusts, flash flooding, and several feet of storm surge in Kōloa on Kaua'i from late Monday night into early Tuesday morning.
Sustained winds between 65 and 85 mph were recorded on Ni'ihau. The National Weather Service issued a rare Tornado Watch for parts of Hawaii through 4 a.m. Tuesday.
A Hurricane Warning was in effect for Kauaʻi County and parts of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. A Flash Flood Warning was issued for the northern side of Kaua'i on Monday night. Kaua'i's Emergency Management Agency reported that several roads were impassable due to downed trees early Tuesday.
A voluntary evacuation notice was sent to residents on oceanfront properties, and 275 people were staying in shelters. One hotel on the eastern part of the island closed and evacuated its guests. The agency urged residents to shelter in place and only evacuate in life-threatening emergencies. On Monday, residents on Kaua'i were advised to have at least three days' worth of food and supplies, and those in low-lying areas were urged to have an evacuation plan.
Damaging surf and waves between 20 and 30 feet were possible along Hawaii’s south and west-facing shores, with the National Hurricane Center warning of ocean water surging over beaches, coastal roads, and properties. Lowell was expected to dump up to 8 inches of rain on Kaua'i, with localized amounts up to 2 feet possible at higher elevations. The Big Island was forecast to receive between 8 and 12 inches of rain.
Heavy rain from Hurricane Lowell had already triggered flash flooding on both Kaua'i and Oahu earlier in the day, and damaging surf was pounding Hawaii’s southern shores. Flash floods occurred along the Kamehameha Highway north of Waikane in Oahu on Sunday afternoon.
Initially, Lowell was expected to pass farther west of Hawaii, but its track shifted eastward, bringing it closer to Ni'ihau and Kaua'i. This prompted the National Hurricane Center to upgrade warnings for the western islands and Oahu. Tropical Storm conditions were expected on Kaua'i with sustained winds between 40-70 mph, and wind gusts potentially reaching 100 mph across the mountains.
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green had declared a state of emergency last Thursday in preparation for the storm. Hurricane Lowell had peaked as a Category 5 storm on Wednesday with winds up to 160 mph before weakening. It was the first Category 5 storm in the Central Pacific Basin since Walaka in October 2018.