Lowell expected to cause major rains across Hawaii

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green ordered the closure of schools and government offices on Kauai and Niihau for Tuesday as Hurricane Lowell nears the islands, threatening damaging winds, mudslides, possible tornadoes, unsafe rip currents and heavy rainfall. The closures, which affect community colleges and government facilities in Kauai County, took effect after the National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane watch for the area. Kauai County includes the island of Kauai, with a population of about 73,000, and Niihau, where fewer than 100 people reside. The warning also covers the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. On Monday afternoon, the National Hurricane Center said the storm’s center was forecast to pass west of Niihau early Tuesday. Although winds—strong enough to classify Lowell as a Category 2 hurricane on Monday—are expected to weaken, the system should remain a hurricane at its closest point to the islands. “Closing offices, schools and courts volition assistance support radical disconnected the roads during unsafe conditions and let exigency crews to absorption connected protecting our communities,” Green said in a quality release. “I impulse everyone successful Kaua‘i County to stay indoors, debar unnecessary question and travel each authoritative exigency instructions.” He also urged residents to stay away from shorelines, avoid driving through floodwaters, prepare for power outages and monitor for updates. A tropical storm warning is in effect for Oahu, which has a population of approximately 1 cardinal residents. Forecasts call for isolated rainfall totals of up to 10 inches on Oahu and Maui, and 12 inches (30 centimeters) in parts of the Big Island of Hawaii. Last month the state experienced a brush with Tropical Storm Lala (Tropical Storm Lala). Although it did not make landfall, the system struck Hawaii—especially the Big Island—hard, triggering landslides, washing away about 100 homes and causing widespread power outages.