Hurricane Lowell prompts tropical storm warning for Hawaii islands

LIHUE, Hawaii (AP) — Officials in Hawaii urged residents and visitors to prepare for heavy rains, flooding, and possibly mudslides as Hurricane Lowell, a Category 3 storm, prompted the National Hurricane Center to issue a tropical storm warning for Kauai and Niihau on Sunday. The warning was issued as Lowell was forecast to pass the islands to the west late Monday and Tuesday while traveling north. Forecasters indicated that rainfall totals of 6-10 inches (15-25 centimeters), with maximum totals of 14 inches (36 centimeters), were possible. Hawaii's Big Island is expected to see 4-8 inches (10-20 centimeters) of rain, with some areas receiving as much as 12 inches (30 centimeters). Lowell had maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 kph) and was located about 545 miles (880 kilometers) south-southwest of Lihue, or about 565 miles (915 kilometers) southwest of Honolulu. It was moving north at 6 mph (9 kph), according to the hurricane center. Hurricane-force winds extended outward up to 50 miles (85 kilometers) from the center, while tropical storm-force winds extended outward up to 175 miles (280 kilometers). The rainfall could lead to significant flash flooding and mudslides. A combination of storm surge and tides is expected to cause normally dry areas near the coast to flood with rising waters of up to 3 feet (1 meter) on Kauai. The Kauai Emergency Management Agency advised residents to fill gas tanks, charge devices, refill prescriptions, and have enough water and food ahead of the storm. Residents were also advised to be prepared to stay home for several days. In Lihue, a town of 8,000 with Kauai's primary airport, residents were stocking up on food and water as supermarket shelves emptied. Real estate agent Lori Benkert purchased an extra 10-pound (4.5-kilogram) container of propane to cook on the barbecue if power goes out. Benkert manages properties in Kauai and has boarded up two houses on the western side of the island. "We'll lose some power, probably have some trees, a bunch of tree limbs coming down," Benkert said. "Everybody is probably going just to hunker down." Meanwhile, Hurricane Marie created dangerous surf conditions along the coast of Mexico's Baja California and Southern California. The Category 1 storm was located about 695 miles (1,120 kilometers) south-southwest of San Diego with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 kph). Forecasters reported that Marie was moving northwest at 7 mph (11 kph). Although no coastal watches or warnings were in effect, swells generated by Marie are expected to affect portions of southwest Mexico, the Baja California peninsula, and Southern California for the next few days, likely causing life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.