TROPICAL CYCLONE LOCAL STATEMENT  

Tropical Cyclone Local Statement issued September 7 at 10:58PM HST by NWS Honolulu HI

HURRICANE LOWELL AT ITS CLOSEST POINT TO HAWAII

Areas Affected: Niihau; Kauai Southwest; Kauai Mountains; Waianae Coast; Oahu North Shore; Olomana; Central Oahu; Waianae Mountains; Lanai Mauka; Kahoolawe; Maui Windward West; Maui Leeward West; Haleakala Summit; Kona; Kohala; Big Island Interior; Big Island Summit; Kauai North; Kauai East; Kauai South; East Honolulu; Honolulu Metro; Ewa Plain; Koolau Windward; Koolau Leeward; Molokai Windward; Molokai Southeast; Molokai North; Molokai West; Molokai Leeward South; Lanai Windward; Lanai Leeward; Lanai South; Maui Central Valley North; Maui Central Valley South; Windward Haleakala; Kipahulu; South Maui/Upcountry; South Haleakala; Big Island South; Big Island Southeast; Big Island East; Big Island North

Urgency: Expected

Severity: Moderate

Certainty: Likely

Alert Sent: Monday 10:58pm HST

Alert Effective: Monday 10:58pm HST

Alert Expires: Tuesday 7:00am HST

Event Onset: Monday 10:58pm HST

Issued by: NWS Honolulu HI

...HURRICANE LOWELL AT ITS CLOSEST POINT TO HAWAII...

HLSHFO

This product covers the Hawaiian islands

**HURRICANE LOWELL AT ITS CLOSEST POINT TO HAWAII**


NEW INFORMATION
---------------

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Kauai East, Kauai
Mountains, Kauai North, Kauai South, Kauai Southwest, and Niihau
- A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Central Oahu, East
Honolulu, Ewa Plain, Honolulu Metro, Koolau Leeward, Koolau
Windward, Oahu North Shore, Olomana, Waianae Coast, and Waianae
Mountains

* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 140 miles west-southwest of Lihue or about 210 miles west
of Honolulu
- 20.9N 161.1W
- Storm Intensity 110 mph
- Movement North-northeast or 25 degrees at 18 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------

Hurricane Lowell has reached its closest point to the main Hawaiian
Islands. Expect damaging winds, heavy flooding rainfall, and extremely
dangerous and damaging surf to occur over portions of the Hawaiian
Islands and into Tuesday morning. A Hurricane Warning remains in effect
for Kauai and Niihau, and a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for
Oahu. Storm preparations should be complete.

Damaging winds are now occurring on Kauai, Niihau and Oahu. Wind gust
reports since midday show highest values across Oahu and Kauai County
from 50 to 80 mph, with peak winds expected to last for a few more
hours tonight. It is important to note that winds can be accelerated
over and downwind of terrain, leading to areas of stronger wind gusts.
As winds shift to south overnight, areas affected by downslope wind
gusts will likely change.

Heavy downpours could lead to flash flooding and mudslides, especially in
steep terrain, and rainbands could become persistent and anchored in
some areas, exacerbating the flash flood threat. The risk of flash
flooding is greatest for Kauai and Niihau, where many stations have
measured 2 to 10 inches of rain with higher values in the upper
elevations. The flood threat also exists for all other islands due
to deep moisture surrounding Lowell. Over 20 inches of storm total
rain is possible over portions of Kauai, mainly over the interior
mountains, and up 12 inches remains possible over southeast Big Island.

An extremely large south to southwest swell generated by Lowell will
continue to rapidly build through the evening and peak tonight. A High
Surf Warning is in effect for south-facing shores of all islands and
for west-facing shores of the Big Island. Dangerously large and
damaging surf and coastal inundation are expected along the immediate
coast of exposed south and west-facing shores, particularly on Kauai
and Niihau and possibly Oahu. The highest surf may reach 20 to 30 feet
on Kauai and Niihau tonight, then rapidly diminish on Tuesday. Extra
large surf, on top of 1 to 4 feet of storm surge, will generate major
wave run-up and coastal inundation along exposed low lying areas of
south and west-facing shores, particularly for Kauai and Niihau and
possibly for Oahu.

Conditions will be conducive for fast-moving, short-lived waterspouts
and tornadoes in the rainbands associated with Lowell, mainly near
Kauai and Niihau. This threat will continue through tonight, then
diminish quickly Tuesday morning.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
Kauai and Niihau. Remain well sheltered from life-threatening wind
impacts. If realized, these impacts include:
- Structural damage to sturdy buildings, some with complete roof
and wall failures. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Damage
greatly accentuated by large airborne projectiles. Locations
may be uninhabitable for weeks or months.
- Numerous large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and
roadway signs blown over.
- Many roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
or heavily wooded places. Many bridges, causeways, and access
routes impassable.
- Widespread power and communications outages.

Potential impacts from the main wind event will develop across Oahu
this evening. Remain well sheltered from wind having limited to
extensive impacts.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are unfolding across Kauai
and Niihau. Remain well guarded against life-threatening flood waters
having extensive impacts. If realized, these impacts include:
- Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues.
- Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in
multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, arroyos, and
ditches may become dangerous rivers. In mountain areas,
destructive runoff may run quickly down valleys while
increasing susceptibility to rockslides and mudslides. Flood
control systems and barriers may become stressed.
- Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple
communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed
away. Many places where flood waters may cover escape routes.
Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with
underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous.
Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out.

Potential impacts from the flooding rain are unfolding across the
rest of the State of Hawaii. Remain well guarded against dangerous
flood waters having significant impacts.

* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge and damaging surf event are now
unfolding across Kauai and Niihau. Remain well away from
life-threatening surge and extremely large surf having significant
impacts. If realized, these impacts include:
- Areas of inundation with storm surge flooding accentuated by
waves. Damage to several buildings, mainly near the coast.
- Sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads become
weakened or washed out, especially in usually vulnerable low
spots.
- Major beach erosion with heavy surf overtopping nearby roadways.
- Moderate damage to marinas, docks, and piers. Several small
craft broken away from moorings, especially in unprotected
anchorages.

Elsewhere across the Hawaiian islands, very large surf may produce
coastal inundation and some impacts to shoreline infrastructure.

* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are unfolding across Kauai and
Niihau. Remain well braced against a dangerous tornado event having
possible significant impacts. If realized, these impacts include:
- The occurrence of scattered tornadoes can hinder the execution
of emergency plans during tropical events.
- Several places may experience tornado damage with a few spots
of considerable damage, power loss, and communications failures.
- Locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses, mobile
homes demolished, boxcars overturned, large trees snapped or
uprooted, vehicles tumbled, and small boats tossed about.
Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll.

Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across
the rest of the State of Hawaii.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------

* EVACUATIONS:
Follow the advice of local officials

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to stay inside and away from windows. Listen for
updates and be ready in case you lose electrical power. Keep a
battery-powered radio, charged cell phone and flashlight handy.

During the peak of the storm be ready to move quickly. Keep your
shoes on and rain gear handy. Boots and athletic shoes offer the
best foot protection if you become unexpectedly exposed to the
weather.

Failure to adequately shelter may result in serious injury or loss of
life. Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with any
orders that are issued. Remember, during the storm 9 1 1 Emergency
Services may not be able to immediately respond if conditions are
unsafe. This should be a big factor in your decision making.

If you are a visitor, be sure to know the name of the city or town in
which you are staying and the name of the county or parish in which
it resides. Listen for these locations in local news updates. Pay
attention for instructions from local authorities.

Keep your cell phone charged and in power-saving mode. If you lose
power, use it sparingly and mainly for personal emergencies and
check-ins.

If you are prone to flooding be prepared for the possibility of a
quick and dramatic rise in water levels.

If a tornado warning is issued for your area, quickly move to the
safest place within your shelter. Protect your head and body.

* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
- For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov
- For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org
- For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org

NEXT UPDATE
-----------

The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Honolulu HI around 5 AM HST, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

ID: urn:oid:2.49.0.1.840.0.48a39621d0c474621ead1cd7fb88b4375cec2eb2.001.1
Codes: HIZ001, HIZ003, HIZ004, HIZ006, HIZ007, HIZ009, HIZ010, HIZ011, HIZ015, HIZ016, HIZ017, HIZ018, HIZ022, HIZ023, HIZ026, HIZ027, HIZ028, HIZ029, HIZ030, HIZ031, HIZ032, HIZ033, HIZ034, HIZ035, HIZ036, HIZ037, HIZ038, HIZ039, HIZ040, HIZ041, HIZ042, HIZ043, HIZ044, HIZ045, HIZ046, HIZ047, HIZ048, HIZ049, HIZ050, HIZ051, HIZ052, HIZ053, HIZ054
Link: https://api.weather.gov/alerts/urn:oid:2.49.0.1.840.0.48a39621d0c474621ead1cd7fb88b4375cec2eb2.001.1