Flash flooding in the Hawaiian Islands continues with Lowell; core of Lowell moving NNW of Niʻihau

(Update: 5 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026) Damaging winds, heavy rain and powerful waves continue impacting Kauaʻi this morning as the core of Lowell moves NNW of Niʻihau and further away from Kauaʻi.

At 5 a.m., the center of Hurricane Lowell was located about 145 miles NW of Līhuʻe, Kauaʻi, and about 245 miles NW of Honolulu, Oʻahu. Category 1 Lowell is moving toward the north near 18 mph. This general motion is forecast through today, taking the core of Lowell farther from Kauaʻi County. Lowell is then forecast to turn toward the northwest and west and slow down on Wednesday and Thursday after passing the main Hawaiian Islands, according to the National Weather Service.

Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 90 mph with higher gusts. Weakening is forecast, and Lowell should become a tropical storm later today and continue to weaken for the next couple of days.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 230 miles. Līhuʻe Airport (PHLI) along the southeastern coast
of Kauaʻi recently reported sustained winds of 35 mph with a gust to 47 mph.

A Hurricane Warning remains in effect for: Kauaʻi County, including the islands of Kauaʻi and Niʻihau; and the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument from Nihoa to French Frigate Shoals. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Oʻahu.

“Lowell is quickly weakening. Satellite images indicate that the center is exposed on the southern side of a decreasing area of deep convection,” according to the latest NWS forecast discussion.

The NWS provided the following Key Messages:

1. Kauai County: Hurricane conditions will continue for the next few hours, with the highest winds atop mountains and on windward and leeward slopes, causing widespread power outages. If you use a generator, be sure it is placed at least 20 feet away from doors, windows, and garages to avoid deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.
2. Periods of heavy rainfall associated with Hurricane Lowell will continue over the Hawaiian Islands through Wednesday. This may produce significant flash flooding and mudslides, especially across Kauaʻi county and portions of the Big Island.
3. Oʻahu: Tropical storm conditions are expected for the next few hours. Strong wind gusts could cause downed trees and power outages, especially in areas of higher terrain.
4. Large waves will continue to produce life-threatening surf and rip current conditions during the next day or so along exposed coasts of the Hawaiian Islands.

WIND: Hurricane conditions are occuring across portions of Kauaʻi County. Wind speeds atop and on the windward and leeward sides of hills and mountains are often up to 30 percent stronger than the near-surface winds. Tropical storm conditions, especially in gusts, are occurring on Oʻahu. Hurricane conditions are ongoing in the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument between Nihoa and French Frigate Shoals.

RAINFALL: Hurricane Lowell is expected to produce additional rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches for Kauai, with maximum storm totals of 24 inches possible. For the Big Island, an additional 3 to 6 inches of rain is expected with isolated storm totals of 8 inches possible. For Oahu and Maui counties, an additional 1 to 3 inches of rain is expected with isolated storm totals of 8 inches possible. This rainfall may produce significant flash flooding and mudslides, especially across Kauai county and portions of the Big Island.

STORM SURGE: Water levels may remain elevated along the coasts of Niʻihau, Kauaʻi, and Oʻahu due to large waves, and will begin to subside after the next high tide cycle.

SURF: Swells from Lowell will continue to generate life-threatening surf and rip current conditions during the next few days across many of the Hawaiian Islands.