7:30 a.m., Sept. 8, County of Kauaʻi, Hurricane Lowell Update

News Release from Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency, September 08, 2026

LĪHUʻE – Hurricane Lowell brought damaging winds, heavy rain, and high surf to Kauaʻi overnight, passing west of the island early Tuesday. Widespread power outages, downed trees, and debris have been reported islandwide, along with damage from wind and coastal surge.

The public is urged to stay indoors and keep off roads to allow crews to assess damage, clear debris, and restore power and services safely.

Do not drive through flooded roadways or around barricades, and stay away from downed power lines.

Residents are urged to closely document damage to their homes and property.

A damage assessment form is available through the Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency website at https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/54d0b90fb9a74a1094e89d9f26b5d759.

The information provided will help the County of Kauaʻi understand the scope of residential damage and impacts to our community. Damage reports may be used to determine whether our jurisdiction qualifies for state or federal assistance. Affected parties still need to file claims with their insurance companies for residential damage and personal property losses.

Residents can also notify authorities about public hazards at: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/060659e0fd7344d59ccb2056dcbe53f9. This form is for reporting non-life-threatening roadway and public space flood damage and hazards.

Businesses can notify authorities about public hazards at https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/f828eb79bd884e6bbc54535007ba9bf9.

On Monday, Sept. 7, emergency officials issued alert notifications recommending voluntary evacuation for occupants of oceanfront properties, or sheltering in place by moving to a second-floor area, due to storm surge impacts. Sirens were activated on Niʻihau for the hurricane warning.

Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative

Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative is reporting 90% of its 36,000-plus customers is without power as of 6:40 a.m. KIUC crews will prioritize damage assessments today in order to develop a restoration plan. Members without power should expect prolonged outages. More information will be provided later today regarding the extent of the damage and restoration estimates. Please stay clear of downed lines and report any that pose an immediate danger to 9-1-1.

Contact KIUC at 808-246-4300 to update your contact information and receive alerts
Outage Center and FAQs: https://kiuc.coop/outage-center

The Kauaʻi Department of Water

The Kauaʻi Department of Water has issued an islandwide conservation notice. Customers are asked to limit water use to essential needs while crews work to maintain service during power outages. Report outages, low pressure, or water main breaks to DOW at 808-245-5400, or visit kauaiwater.org.

Power outages can affect pumps and wells. Water service may be interrupted or pressure may drop, even if your home is not damaged.
Use water sparingly while storm response and utility repairs are ongoing.
Do not use water you suspect has been contaminated by flooding.
Report outages, low pressure, or water main breaks to DOW at 808-245-5400.
Updates will be posted at kauaiwater.org and on DOW’s social media channels.

Road Closures

Numerous roads are closed islandwide due to storm-related debris and damage, including portions of Kaumualiʻi Highway and Kūhiō Highway. Closures include:

Kūhiō Highway at the Hanalei Bridge
Kaumualiʻi Highway between the Kala Road junctions and Akialoa Road
Māluhia Road at Kaumualiʻi Highway

Additional closures are expected as the Hawaiʻi State Department of Transportation and County Public Works crews assess and clear roadways. Debris has been reported islandwide. Road and closure conditions are available at 808-241-1725.

Refuge Areas

As of 6:30 a.m., 301 people and 38 pets are being sheltered at the County’s five open refuge areas:

Kauaʻi High School Gym, 3577 Lala Road, Līhuʻe
Kalāheo Neighborhood Center, 4480 Papalina Road, Kalāheo
Waimea Canyon Middle School, 9555 Huakai Road, Waimea
Kīlauea Neighborhood Center, 2460 Keneke Street, Kīlauea
Kapaʻa Middle School, 4867 Olohena Road, Kapaʻa

Refuge areas remain open. Anyone going to a refuge area should bring their own disaster supply go-kit, medications, and important documents. Household pets are welcome, though owners must bring their own pet food, water, and crates or cages. Do not travel to a refuge area if conditions are unsafe.

Facility Closures

All County, State, and Department of Education offices and schools are closed Tuesday, Sept. 8.
Līhuʻe Airport closed at 2:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 7, until further notice, according to the state Department of Transportation. Runway and facility inspections are required before flights resume. Travelers should contact their airlines directly.
Refuse collection service is suspended until further notice.
The Kauaʻi Bus suspended service due to safety concerns. Buses had been supporting transportation to refuge areas.
All County parks, campgrounds, and the Wailua Golf Course are closed until further notice.
All Department of Land and Natural Resources state parks and state forest reserves are closed until further notice.
The Pacific Missile Range Facility has closed its recreational guest pass program and recreational sites until further notice.
The state Department of Health has issued an islandwide brown water advisory for Kauaʻi. Stay out of floodwaters and ocean water near stream mouths, drainage outlets, and harbors, which may contain sewage, animal waste, chemicals, and debris.
The Ocean Safety Bureau advises no swimming or outdoor recreational activities until further notice.

Weather Notices in Effect

Hurricane Warning – Kauaʻi and Niʻihau.
Flood Watch
High Surf Warning

Warnings and watches may be extended, dropped, or modified as conditions develop.

Other important numbers and resources

To stay updated, tune in to local media broadcast channels for the most current information. The following resources are available for emergency preparedness:

Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency – kauai.gov/KEMA
National Weather Service – weather.gov/hfo, or automated weather line at 808-245-6001
Kauaʻi Department of Water – 808-245-5400 and kauaiwater.org
Road and closure conditions – 808-241-1725

Officials remind the public to use 9-1-1 only for life-threatening or time-critical emergencies. Calls to 9-1-1 for weather updates or general road conditions can significantly delay emergency response. To report non-emergency road hazards, contact KPD Dispatch (non-emergency) at 808-241-1711.

For up-to-date information about Kauaʻi ocean conditions and safety, please speak to a county lifeguard, visit safebeachday.com, or call the Ocean Safety Bureau at 808-241-4984.

To sign up for Everbridge, the County’s emergency notification service, please visit www.kauai.gov/KEMA and click “Notification Services.” You may also text “KAUAIEMA” to 888777, or call the Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency at 808-241-1800.

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HIEMA: Hurricane Lowell Updates – Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency

HDOT: Slideshow of Highway Clearing Operations

HECO: 21,000 without power on Oahu

NOAA Hawaii Real-Time Streamflow Gage Viewer: LINK

UH Mesonet stations statewide click >>> HERE

Hurricane Lowell Satellite Path: LINK

VIDEO: Watch: New footage from flight inside Hurricane Lowell’s eye

CCHNL: CCHNL Residents - Notifications- Nānākuli Elementary will open as a Hurricane Refuge Area today at 5 p.m.

CCHNL: CCHNL Residents - Notifications- HPD: Farrington Highway closed in Waiʻanae between Orange Street and Mākaha Valley Road.

SA: Kauai officials urge public near exposed south, west shores to move to safety | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Windy.com models show Lowell barelling down on Kauai as a hurricane the night of Monday, September 7, and crossing the Garden Isle during the morning of Tuesday, September 8, 2026. 

This image is the forecast for 11PM HST Monday Sept 7.

The path is similar to that taken by Iniki, September 11, 1992.

INIKI 1992

According to NOAA: 

• 'Hurricane' = wind speed between 74 MPH and 110 MPH. 
• 'Major Hurricane' = wind speed greater than 110 MPH.  

NOAA cone models project Lowell to be a 'Major Hurricane,' just west of Kauai, as of 2am Tuesday September 7, below.  

Another NOAA chart projects the arrival of tropical storm-force winds (39-73mph) on Kauai and Oahu mid-day Monday.  The charts below are being updated remotely by NOAA.

LINK: National Hurricane Center NOAA Lowell Information Page

SST MAP: Temps 28C and above feed energy to a hurricane.  Notice the 28C line shifts from 16 to 20 degrees north below Kauai.