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Hurricane Lowell Prompts Kauai, Niihau Tropical Storm Warnings

9/7/2026

Summary

US Officials Warn

U.S. officials issue tropical storm warnings for Kauai and Niihau as Hurricane Lowell approaches.
Lowell is a Category 3 hurricane with 120 mph sustained winds, moving north-northwest at 6 mph.
Forecast calls for 39-mph tropical-storm-force winds, 60-mph gusts, 20-30-foot surf, and 6-10 inches of rain on the islands.
Kauai County will close all parks, open five refuge areas, and expects prolonged power outages lasting days.

Summary

Pacific Hurricanes Swirl

Three hurricanes—Lowell, Karina and Marie—are swirling simultaneously in the central Pacific, a first in a decade.
This season’s El Niño is projected to be the strongest in four decades, boosting Pacific storm activity.
Hurricane Lala in August caused at least $43 million infrastructure damage and $4.6 million home damage on the Big Island.

History

Historical Context

In 1992, Hurricane Iniki struck Kauai as a Category 4 storm, delivering 145 mph winds and devastating the island’s infrastructure. The disaster caused $3.1 billion in damages, killed six people, and prompted FEMA to allocate $1.5 billion for recovery. Today, NOAA’s National Hurricane Center warns that Category 3 Hurricane Lowell, with 120 mph winds, mirrors Iniki’s intensity while three Pacific cyclones converge, a rarity since the 1992 season. Consequently, Hawaii’s Emergency Management Agency enforces the stricter building codes and evacuation protocols instituted after Iniki, aiming to reduce future losses.

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US Officials Warn

U.S. officials issue tropical storm warnings for Kauai and Niihau as Hurricane Lowell approaches.
Lowell is a Category 3 hurricane with 120 mph sustained winds, moving north-northwest at 6 mph.
Forecast calls for 39-mph tropical-storm-force winds, 60-mph gusts, 20-30-foot surf, and 6-10 inches of rain on the islands.
Kauai County will close all parks, open five refuge areas, and expects prolonged power outages lasting days.

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