Hawaii sees its first-ever tornado watch as Hurricane Lowell approaches
Satellite imagery from Monday afternoon shows Lowell losing its structure a bit, but maintaining hurricane status as it accelerates towards Hawaii.
TL;DR
- Hurricane Lowell is projected to make its closest approach to Kauai and Niihau on Monday night into Tuesday.
- The storm, with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph, was moving north-northeast at 18 mph.
- Hawaii's first-ever tornado watch was issued Monday afternoon until 4 a.m. Tuesday.
- Heavy rain, flooding, mudslides, and destructive waves of 20 to 30 feet are expected.
- Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami urged residents to prepare and be indoors by midday.
- Hawaii Gov. Josh Green ordered all Kauai schools and state/county offices closed on Tuesday.
- Niihau, a private island, is home to about 100 people.
- A high-surf warning is in effect for the south-facing shores of Kauai and Niihau.
- Long lines formed at Lihue Airport as travelers sought to leave Kauai.
- Scattered power outages were reported across Kauai.
- The Kauai Marathon was canceled due to hurricane conditions.
- Kauai has not experienced a major hurricane since Hurricane Iniki in 1992.
- Oahu was also placed under a tropical storm warning.