Heavy wind-driven rain came in bursts, streets flooded, and then the weather eased once again for a few hours. During that break, we drove around South Shore Kauai while Hurricane Lowell moved closer, stopping at the Poipu beaches we’ve known for decades. Tonight, it’s far more intense, with wind and rain as the hurricane moves closer to Kauai and Niihau.
The ocean we saw was something else. These weren’t the biggest waves we’ve seen on Kauai, but the wind had churned the water up in a way neither of us could ever remember seeing before. There was a wild anger to it.
By 5 p.m., the situation here had intensified further. Lowell was a Category 2 hurricane about 170 miles southwest of Lihue, moving north-northeast at 18 mph with sustained winds of 110 mph. Its core was expected to pass near or just west of Niihau later tonight into early Tuesday, while Kauai and Niihau remained under a hurricane warning.
What we witnessed on Kauai’s South Shore.
At Poipu, there were hardly any cars on the roads, even though people were still coming out to look at the ocean. We saw people still carrying surfboards near the beach, palms bending hard in the wind, and an entire coastline that felt anything but normal.
Around 11:30 a.m., we pulled into Starbucks and found them closing just as we arrived. The grocery store in Koloa was the opposite scene, so crowded that we could not even get into the parking lot. It was a mix of visitors and residents. BOH readers visiting Kauai have just told us that their vacation rental companies instructed them to stock up on food before the storm.
Later Monday, the Kauai Emergency Management Agency (KEMA) urged residents and visitors at exposed oceanfront properties along the iconic south shore and the Westside to move to a safer location while travel was still possible. Officials warned of a two- to four-foot storm surge with large waves capable of producing coastal flooding and overwash.
Kauai started closing down around us.
Hanalei Bridge closed late Monday morning due to flooding, while other roads around Kauai were affected as rain continued to pile up. County officials had already told residents to finish last-minute preparations, get off the roads by midday, and shelter in place.
Lihue Airport closed about 2:30 p.m., regular Kauai Bus service stopped, and parks and outdoor recreation areas closed. Public schools and state and county offices will remain closed Tuesday as Lowell moves past the western end of the state.
A tornado watch is also in effect through Tuesday morning. The National Weather Service says tornadoes and waterspouts are possible around Kauai and Niihau as the hurricane passes.
Niihau’s hurricane siren was sounded tonight.
Shortly before 7 p.m., KEMA sounded the outdoor warning siren on Niihau as hurricane-force winds approached. The siren is used for the imminent arrival of sustained winds of at least 74 mph, giving residents a final warning to get indoors.
Sirens on Kauai have not been activated at this point. KEMA said they could still be sounded if hurricane-force winds become imminent here, but residents were being told not to wait for a siren before taking shelter.
Lihue flights disappeared Monday.
When we checked FlightAware earlier Monday, it showed 56 flights to and from Lihue canceled. We were getting errors when we tried checking again tonight, so we don’t have a reliable count yet for Tuesday cancellations, although we would not expect things to be operating normally.
We were advised that Alaska and Hawaiian have canceled Lihue flights until noon on Tuesday in response to Lowell. We have not independently confirmed the extent of those cancellations, so anyone scheduled to travel should check their specific flight directly with the airline before making plans to go to LIH.
Yesterday we wrote about airline waivers, cancellations and the canceled Kauai Marathon. Tonight, the question has moved to what Tuesday’s schedule will look like once the storm moves farther away.
Tonight on Kauai.
We prepared for Lowell more extensively than we have for any hurricane since Iniki, with plywood ready, supplies stocked, and water, lighting, batteries, and everything secured. After spending much of Monday out on the South Shore, we’re now waiting to see what the night brings.
The Hawaii Tourism Authority asked visitors to plan to stay at their hotels or accommodations during severe weather tonight and possibly Tuesday. Everyone is advised to stay off the road.
We don’t know what Kauai will look like on Tuesday morning. For now, there is nothing left to prepare and nowhere to go.
Photos and Video: © Beat of Hawaii, except for Hanalei Bridge. Lead Photo is at Shipwreck Beach, Kauai, on Monday, September 7.
By Rob and Jeff, Beat of Hawaii.
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