Climate & Environment
Hurricane Lowell Weakens to Category 1, Warnings Lifted for Kauaʻi and Oʻahu
By Today News Hours Editorial Desk
Hurricane Lowell has weakened to a Category 1 storm, with maximum sustained winds of 80 miles per hour, as of 8 a.m. Tuesday, according to officials. The storm was located approximately 190 miles north-northwest of Līhuʻe at the time of the update.
Weather conditions are improving across Hawaiʻi, including on Niʻihau, Kauaʻi and Oʻahu. In response, the Hurricane Warning previously in effect for Kauaʻi County has been cancelled, as has the Tropical Storm Warning for Oʻahu.
Despite the improving conditions, officials reported severe damage in Kauaʻi County and on Oʻahu, including widespread power outages on Kauaʻi and significant outages on Oʻahu. Residents who are safe have been urged to limit unnecessary travel so that emergency crews can carry out repair work.
Authorities also warned residents to treat any downed power lines as live and to stay away from them, and to exercise caution when moving through damaged areas. Before entering any damaged property, residents are advised to check for damaged power lines, gas leaks, foundation cracks and other exterior damage, noting that some structures may be unsafe to enter.
The key messages and recommended actions were last updated at 8:55 a.m. on September 8, with the next update described as tentative.
Shelters remain open in affected counties. On Kauaʻi, shelters have been operating since September 6, while shelters on Oʻahu opened at 5 p.m. on September 7. Additional shelters and hurricane refuge areas will be listed as they open.
Residents are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts through their county's civil defense or emergency management agency. Contact information for each county includes:
Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency: (808) 935-0031, with alerts available through its website and social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram and X.
Maui Emergency Management Agency: (808) 270-7285, offering both emergency alerts and evacuation zone sign-ups, with a presence on Facebook, Instagram and X.
Oʻahu Department of Emergency Management: (808) 723-8960, with emergency alerts and social media updates available on Facebook, Instagram and X.
Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency: (808) 241-1800, with alerts and updates available through its website and social media channels.
Residents can also monitor NOAA Weather Radio frequencies specific to their county, including stations in Hilo, Kona, Mt. Haleakalā, Hawaiʻi Kai, Mt. Kaʻala, Kōkeʻe and Līhuʻe, as well as local station 104.7 FM (KNDI) on Oʻahu, which broadcasts multicultural programming.