Hurricane Lowell strikes Hawaii with high winds and power outages

Hurricane Lowell Hawaii Kauai power outages tornado watch

Hurricane Lowell, which previously reached Category 5 intensity, passed near Hawaii’s western islands as a Category 2 storm, bringing destructive winds and heavy rainfall. The storm’s center passed within 70 miles of Niihau and Kauai, qualifying as a direct hit under National Hurricane Center definitions.

Kauai and Niihau were the most heavily impacted, with Kauai experiencing a rare tornado watch and wind gusts exceeding 80 mph. Approximately 91 percent of Kauai residents lost power, contributing to a total of over 60,000 customers without electricity across Kauai and Oahu. Significant flooding, mudslides, and storm surges were reported, with some coastal areas seeing up to 1 metre of flooding.

Governor Josh Green had previously declared a state of emergency to prepare for the storm. While the hurricane is expected to weaken as it moves, officials have advised residents to remain cautious of flash flooding and life-threatening surf conditions.

Entities

Derek Kawakami · Hawaii · Hurricane Lowell · Josh Green · Kauai · National Hurricane Center · Niihau

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 29 SOURCES] Forecasters warned that the weather systems could cause tornadoes on Kauai and Niihau. antiguatribune.com · jamaicainquirer.com · trinidadtribune.com · barbadosgazette.com · bahamasspectator.com · +20 more
[● 16 SOURCES] The storm is moving north at a speed of 9 km/h. antiguatribune.com · jamaicainquirer.com · trinidadtribune.com · barbadosgazette.com · bahamasspectator.com · +8 more
[● 31 SOURCES] The National Hurricane Center issued emergency hurricane and tropical storm warnings for the Hawaiian islands. antiguatribune.com · jamaicainquirer.com · trinidadtribune.com · barbadosgazette.com · bahamasspectator.com · +22 more
[DISPUTED] Rainfall totals are expected to range between 150mm and 250mm, with a maximum of 360mm. antiguatribune.com · jamaicainquirer.com · trinidadtribune.com · barbadosgazette.com · bahamasspectator.com · +8 more
[● 18 SOURCES] Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami issued an emergency proclamation. antiguatribune.com · jamaicainquirer.com · trinidadtribune.com · barbadosgazette.com · bahamasspectator.com · +10 more
[DISPUTED] Kauai faces potential coastal flooding of up to 1 metre caused by storm surges and high tides. antiguatribune.com · jamaicainquirer.com · trinidadtribune.com · barbadosgazette.com · bahamasspectator.com · +10 more
[● 4 SOURCES] Governor Josh Green closed schools and government offices on Kauai and Niihau. mymotherlode.com · srnnews.com
[DISPUTED] Hurricane Lowell was recorded as a Category 2 hurricane with 110 mph winds. krdo.com · forbesliberia.com · dominicanrepublicpost.com · offthepress.com · pulptastic.com · +1 more
[● 2 SOURCES] More than 60,000 customers lost power on Kauai and Oahu due to the storm. offthepress.com · pulptastic.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Approximately 91 percent of customers on Kauai lost power. www.tntvnews.pf · offthepress.com · pulptastic.com