Kauai County residents told to expect hurricane conditions as Lowell nears

Monday, September 7, 2026 81° Today's Paper Today • Last updated 5:58 a.m. Kauai and Niihau were put under hurricane warning late Sunday as Category 3 Lowell barrelled toward the islands packing maximum sustained winds of 120 mph — threatening Kauai County with destructive winds, heavy rain, flooding, storm surge and dangerous surf as early as this afternoon. The hurricane warning issued by the Central Pacific Hurricane Center Sunday afternoon prompted a call for residents to quickly complete emergency planning as Lowell approaches from the south-southwest. “Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion,” the hurricane center said. The warnings are issued when hurricane conditions are expected somewhere in the area within the next 36 hours. Both islands are also under a tropical storm warning, meaning tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area within 36 hours.

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