Hurricane Lowell nears Hawaii, prompting warnings for 3 islands

Two of Hawaii’s islands are under hurricane warnings as Lowell, a Category 3 storm, nears.

Lowell is expected to pass to the west of Kauai and Niʻihau late Monday and early Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service. A hurricane warning has been issued for both islands, with a tropical storm warning in effect for Oahu.

“Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion,” the NWS said.

Kauai County Mayor Derek Kawakami urged residents to be off the roads by midday on Monday. He credited the Kauai emergency management team whose preparations put the county “in a good position to be able to weather this storm as one community.”

“Hurricane Lowell is going to come a little closer than anticipated, and what that really means to everybody is that we are asking everyone to start sheltering in place,” Kawakami said.

Residents who live in flood zones were advised to call friends and family members in safer areas to see if they would be able to house them. Officials referred people to refuge centers as a last resort.

“I have to say, what I’ve observed over the last few days is nothing less than phenomenal,” Kawakami said.

Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/business