Hawaii Residents Prepare for Tropical Storm Conditions as Hurricane Lowell Passes West

Residents of Kauai and Niihau were told to prepare for tropical storm conditions as Hurricane Lowell moved west of Hawaii. A Miami-based center issued a tropical storm warning for the two islands.

Lowell was forecast to pass west of Kauai and Niihau late Monday and Tuesday while traveling north. The storm was expected to stay west of the islands, but officials still urged people in the warning area to prepare for possible effects.

Hawaii officials warned residents about heavy rain and flooding. Such conditions can disrupt travel and affect roads, homes, and other parts of a community. Residents were encouraged to follow local information as the storm moved past the state.

ABC News described Lowell as a major Category 3 hurricane. The tropical storm warning covered Kauai and Niihau, where officials were focused on the weather that could reach the islands. The warning did not say that the center of the hurricane would move across either island.

The forecast showed that a storm can create concerns even when it remains offshore. Rain and other tropical storm conditions may still affect nearby land. For residents of Kauai and Niihau, the main concern was the possible heavy rain and flooding expected as Lowell passed to the west.

Forecasters continued to track the hurricane as it traveled north. Residents were asked to remain aware of updates while the warning was in effect and to prepare for changing conditions late Monday and Tuesday.