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Hurricane Lowell Remains Powerful Category 4 as Hawaii Braces for Possible Impacts
Officials activated shelters and 146 National Guard members as forecasters warned of heavy rain, 12-foot surf and possible outages.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green declared a state of emergency Thursday to activate National Guard units as Hurricane Lowell neared Kauai. The powerful storm, fluctuating between Category 4 and 5 strength with 160 mph winds, is forecast to approach the western islands early next week.
Supercharged by El Niño, the Pacific hurricane season has produced multiple threatening storms. Lowell's ultimate track remains uncertain as forecasters expect the storm to take a sharp turn north on Sunday, creating complex interaction dynamics.
Kauai officials issued a tropical storm watch late Saturday, warning of rainfall totals exceeding 10 inches in some areas. The county partnered with the American Red Cross to establish emergency shelters, though officials emphasized these remain evacuation areas of last resort.
Residents still recovering from Hurricane Lala are urged to maintain 14 days of supplies ahead of Lowell. Kauai County Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami advised citizens to stay calm, noting the community's lingering trauma from 1992's Hurricane Iniki.
Governor Green warned that Hawaii faces additional threatening tropical systems in the coming weeks due to El Niño conditions. State officials continue clearing drainage systems and staging equipment to mitigate potential impacts across the island chain.