Hurricane Lowell is expected to create life-threatening conditions even as it’s forecast to sidestep the major Hawaiian islands west of the archipelago by Monday night.It could remain a major hurricane — those with 111 mph or greater sustained winds — and is likely to create mudslides, as much as 10 inches of rain in Kauai, and life-threatening waves for parts of the island chain, the National Hurricane Center said.
The tropical cyclone reached Category 5, defined by sustained winds of 157 mph or greater, overnight Friday before losing some of its steam and settling into Category 4’s limits of sustained winds of 130 to 156 mph by Saturday.Lowell appeared to be turning to the west-northwest Saturday, with the hurricane center saying this will likely trigger storm watch notices and other storm-related alerts for Kauai County and the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.It was about 640 miles south-southwest of Honolulu, headed west-northwest at 7 mph, the hurricane center said, and was pushing out sustained winds of 145 mph.The hurricane center’s forecast cone has Lowell passing just west of the islands, from south to north, on Monday night.“Just because we’re on the edge of the cone doesn’t mean we’re safe,” John Bravender, warning coordination meteorologist at the National Weather Service, said at a Friday news conference.Maui could record up to 8 inches of rain, the National Hurricane Center said, but officials in the state are also focused on the storm’s impacts on the island of Kauai.“We are taking Hurricane Lowell extremely seriously and preparing now, before conditions deteriorate,” Gov.Josh Green said in a statement Friday.
“I urge everyone, especially those in Kauaʻi County, to complete their preparations, follow official alerts and stay away from floodwaters, dangerous surf and other hazardous areas.”The governor’s office said the state was securing its harbors, deploying emergency personnel to strategic locations a...