Hurricane Lowell Menaces Kauai With 145 mph Winds as 10 Inches of Rain Loom

3 articles · Updated · NBC News · Sep 6

Lowell was a Category 4 hurricane with 145 mph sustained winds Saturday, forecast to pass just west of Hawaii on Monday night while still bringing dangerous conditions to Kauai.
Up to 10 inches of rain could hit Kauai and 8 inches could fall on Maui, with forecasters warning of mudslides, flooding and life-threatening surf even if the storm stays offshore.
The hurricane briefly reached Category 5 overnight Friday before weakening slightly, and its west-northwest turn could prompt storm watches and other alerts for Kauai County and the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.
Hawaii officials said they were securing harbors, positioning emergency crews and monitoring dams, with Gov. Josh Green urging residents—especially on Kauai—to finish preparations before conditions worsen.
Lowell is one of 15 named Northeast Pacific storms this season, a busy stretch experts link to unusually warm waters and El Niño, which they say is helping fuel stronger tropical cyclones.