Honolulu, HI Severe Weather Alertstar_ratehome

This product covers the Hawaiian islands

**LOWELL REMAINS A POWERFUL HURRICANE AS IT BEGINS TO TURN
NORTHWARD**

NEW INFORMATION
---------------

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Kauai East, Kauai
Mountains, Kauai North, Kauai South, Kauai Southwest, and Niihau

* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 610 miles south-southwest of Lihue
- 14.1N 163.5W
- Storm Intensity 125 mph
- Movement Northwest or 325 degrees at 5 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------
At 11 pm HST, the eye of major Hurricane Lowell was located about
610 miles south-southwest of Lihue. Lowell has maximum sustained winds
of 125 mph, and is now moving toward the northwest at 5 mph. Lowell is
expected to continue to turn more toward the north or north-northeast
tonight into Sunday, followed by an increase in forward speed Sunday
into Monday. Some fluctuations in intensity are expected over the next
couple of days, with gradual weakening expected Sunday into Monday.
The eye of Lowell is currently forecast to make it's closest approach
to the main Hawaiian Islands Monday night, passing 100 to 200 miles
west of Niihau.

Strong, gusty winds on the eastern side of Lowell's circulation are
expected to affect Kauai and Niihau as Hurricane Lowell passes. Winds
will increase on Monday as the hurricane approaches the western end of
the chain. Based on the current forecast, tropical storm force winds,
sustained 39 mph or higher, will be possible later Monday. Plan to
have your preparations for damaging winds complete by midday, with
winds peaking Monday night. Even higher gusts, 60 mph or more, are
possible over Kauai and Niihau where winds are accelerated by higher
terrain.

Starting later Sunday, a very large shield of deep tropical moisture
surrounding Lowell will spread northward over the main Hawaiian
islands from south to north, bringing increasing showers. Squally
downpours could lead to flash flooding, along with mudslides in steep
terrain. Rainbands could become persistent and anchored in some areas,
which would exacerbate the flash flood threat. The risk of flash
flooding and mudslides is greatest for Kauai and Niihau, but also
exists for other islands as well due to the extent of the moisture
associated with Lowell. Up to a foot of rain is possible over portions
of Kauai, mainly over the interior mountains.

Surf is expected to increase quickly on south and west facing shores
Sunday night, reaching warning levels by Monday. Damaging surf and
some coastal inundation are expected along the immediate coast on
exposed south and west facing shores on Kauai and Niihau Monday and
Monday night, before diminishing on Tuesday. Highest surf heights in
those areas may reach 20 to 30 feet, along with 1 to 3 feet of coastal
inundation.

Conditions will become favorable for fast-moving, short-lived
waterspouts and tornadoes in the rainbands associated with Lowell,
mainly near Kauai and Niihau, later on Monday. This threat will
continue into Monday night, then diminish quickly Tuesday morning.


POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------

* WIND:
Prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across
Kauai and Niihau. Potential impacts in this area include:
- Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored
mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about.
- Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or
uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are
shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over.
- A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban
or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on
bridges and other elevated roadways.
- Scattered power and communications outages.

Elsewhere across the Hawaiian islands, little to no impact is
anticipated.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across Kauai and Niihau. Potential 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.

Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant
impacts across the rest of the main Hawaiian Islands from Oahu to the
Big Island.

* SURGE:
Prepare for locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts
across Kauai and Niihau. Potential impacts in this area include:
- Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along
immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas
farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore.
- Sections of near-shore roads and parking lots become overspread
with surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places where
surge water covers the road.
- Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainly
in usually vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents.
- Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks,
and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings.

Elsewhere across the Hawaiian islands, little to no impact is
anticipated.

* TORNADOES:
Prepare for a dangerous tornado event having possible significant
impacts across Kauai and Niihau. Potential 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 main Hawaiian Islands from Oahu to the Big Island.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------

* EVACUATIONS:
Follow the advice of local officials.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to check your emergency plan and emergency supplies
kit and take necessary actions to protect your family and secure your
home or business.

When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the
exact forecast track since hazards such as flooding rain, damaging
wind gusts, storm surge, and tornadoes extend well away from the
center of the storm.

Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with orders that
are issued. Do not needlessly jeopardize your life or the lives of
others.

When securing your property, outside preparations should be concluded
as soon as possible before conditions deteriorate. The onset of
strong gusty winds or flooding can cause certain preparedness
activities to become unsafe.

Be sure to let friends and family members know of your intentions for
weathering the storm and your whereabouts. Have someone located away
from the threatened area serve as your point of contact. Share vital
contact information with others. Keep cell phones handy and charged.

Check on those who may not be fully aware of the situation or who are
unable to make personal preparations.

If you are a visitor, know the name of the county in which you are
located and where it is relative to current watches and warnings. If
staying at a hotel, ask the management staff about their onsite
disaster plan. Listen for evacuation orders, especially pertaining to
area visitors.

Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather Radio and local news
outlets for official storm information. Listen for possible changes
to the forecast.

There is a threat from tornadoes as Lowell passes by Kauai and
Niihau. Have multiple ways to receive Tornado Warnings. Be ready to
shelter quickly.


* 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 ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM HST TUESDAY...

* WHAT...Surf up to 14 feet along east facing shores. Surf up to
12 feet along south facing shores, increasing to 14 feet by
Sunday night. Surf up to 10 feet along west facing shores of the
Big Island.

* WHERE...South and east facing shores of all Hawaiian Islands...
and west facing shores of the Big Island.

* WHEN...Until 6 AM HST Tuesday.

* IMPACTS...Moderate. Strong breaking waves and strong currents
will make swimming dangerous.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The High Surf Advisory is expected to be
upgraded to a warning for affected south- and west-facing
shores Sunday night into Monday as surf heights are expected to
rapidly rise to warning levels.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Heed all advice from ocean safety officials. When in doubt, don't
go out. Large breaking surf, significant shorebreak, and
dangerous currents make entering the water very hazardous.

&&

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY EVENING THROUGH TUESDAY
AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible.

* WHERE...All main Hawaiian Islands.

* WHEN...From Sunday evening through Tuesday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Flood prone roads and other low lying areas may be closed
due to elevated runoff and overflowing streams. Urban areas may
receive more significant flooding and property damage due to rapid
runoff.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- Moisture along the eastern flank of Hurricane Lowell will bring
periods of heavy rain to the main Hawaiian islands late Sunday
through Tuesday. Initially, the threat of heavy rain will be
highest along windward and mountain areas, then the threat will
spread everywhere as the winds become more southerly by Monday.
- The entire state.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action
should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

&&