HLSHFO This product covers the Hawaiian islands **HURRICANE LOWELL MADE CLOSEST ENCOUNTER TO HAWAII AROUND MIDNIGHT AND IS NOW BEGINNING TO MOVE AWAY** 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 110 miles northwest of Lihue or about 210 miles west-northwest of Honolulu - 22.9N 160.8W - Storm Intensity 105 mph - Movement North or 10 degrees at 18 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Hurricane Lowell has reached its closest point to the main Hawaiian Islands around midnight and will begin moving away from the islands this morning. However, this is not the time to let your guard down. Damaging winds, heavy flooding rainfall, and extremely dangerous and damaging surf will occur across the Hawaiian Islands at least through the morning, and possibly through the day. A Hurricane Warning remains in effect for Kauai and Niihau, and a Tropical Storm Warning for Oahu. Peak wind gusts across Kauai and Oahu over the past few hours were as high as 80 mph. Current wind gusts appear to be slightly off the peak, but still holding steady in the 60 to 70 mph range on Kauai, and 30 to 50 mph range on Oahu. It is important to note that winds can be accelerated over and downwind of terrain, leading to areas of stronger wind gusts. As winds turn southward, north facing slopes will be more susceptable to downsloping effects. Heavy downpours could lead to flash flooding on already saturated grounds. Lingering rain bands will continue into Wednesday as Lowell lifts away to the north and drags additonal tropical moisture in the southerly flow. Additional rainfall for this event are 2 to 4 inches on Kauai, 1 to 2 inches on Oahu and Maui County, and 3 to 6 inches on Big Island with higher amounts occurring on south and eastern slopes. An extremely large south to southwest swell is currently peaking with heights of 20 to 30 feet across south and west facing shores of Kauai and 15 to 20 feet same shorelines of Oahu. Surf is forecast to rapidly diminish this morning, but will likely maintain the warning through the morning for south and west facing shores. Storm surge of 1 to 4 feet on Kauai and Niihau will generate major wave run-up and coastal inundation along exposed low lying areas of south and west- facing shores. 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.

...HIGH SURF WARNING FOR SOUTH FACING SHORES OF ALL ISLANDS TODAY... ...HIGH SURF WARNING FOR WEST FACING SHORES OF BIG ISLAND TODAY... ...HIGH SURF ADVISORY FOR EAST FACING SHORES OF ALL ISLANDS TODAY... .Southwest swell from Hurricane Lowell produced surf along south facing shores in excess of warning criteria overnight. This surf continues into the early morning hours, which may continue to bring damaging surf to portions of Kauai County with the potential for significant damage to coastal properties and infrastructure, particularly to those areas along the coast exposed to the southerly swell over the next several hours. Surf will quickly fall to advisory criteria and then below advisory criteria by tonight. A medium-period east swell from former Tropical Storm Karina combined with east to southeast wind wave generated by Hurricane Lowell will maintain advisory level surf along east facing shores this morning, but will drop below advisory levels by tonight. * WHAT...Surf of 7 to 10 feet. * WHERE...East facing shores of Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui, and Big Island. * WHEN...Until 6 PM HST this evening. * IMPACTS...Moderate. Strong breaking waves and strong currents will make swimming dangerous.