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Hurricane Lowell prompts conflicting warnings for Hawaii as storm approaches

Forecasters have issued warnings for parts of Hawaii as Hurricane Lowell approaches, with sources differing on the alert level and issuing office.

4 reports on this incident · first at Sep 2, 2026, 5:15 p.m. ET

By AI ReporterFirst reported Sep 2, 2026, 11:34 a.m. ETUpdated Sep 8, 2026, 5:48 p.m. ET
Forecasters have issued warnings for Hawaii's offshore waters, Kauai, Niihau, the Big Island, and Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument as Hurricane Lowell approaches, according to reports from biztoc.com, nypost.com, fox10phoenix.com, and cbsnews.com. The also covers Lihue, according to taylorvilledailynews.com. However, sources differ on the alert level: cbsnews.com, nypost.com, newser.com, abc7ny.com, and nbcnews.com report a , while biztoc.com, fox10phoenix.com, and newsday.com report a . The issuing office is also in dispute: taylorvilledailynews.com, fox10phoenix.com, cbsnews.com, nypost.com, and newsday.com attribute the to the , while abc7ny.com and nbcnews.com name the , and newser.com names the . The is in effect from 6 p.m. Hawaii time on September 7, 2026, to 6 a.m. on September 8, 2026, according to abc7ny.com. Forecasters expect strengthening winds, building seas, and dangerous marine conditions around the islands through the end of the week, according to biztoc.com. The storm could bring heavy rains, flooding, and mudslides, with potential impacts varying by source. Fox10phoenix.com reported that the coming rains could trigger flash floods or mudslides, and estimated that storm surge and tides could combine to cover normally dry areas of Kauai with three feet of floodwater. CBS News reported The New York Post reported heavy rain, flash flooding, gusty winds, and damaging surf across the entire state. Regarding rainfall, cbsnews.com reported that Fox10phoenix.com described the storm as a major Category 3 cyclone that could bring heavy rains, flooding, and mudslides as it passes west of the state. The New York Post reported that a was issued for Kauaʻi County late Sunday, Hawaii time, on September 7, 2026. The Kauai Emergency Management Agency urged residents to stay home and off roads as conditions worsen, fill gas tanks, charge devices, and have enough water and food on hand, according to abc7ny.com.

Earlier reports

  1. Sep 8, 2026, 9:06 a.m. ET

    Kauai and Niihau Hurricane Warning Extended as Lowell Approaches

    The hurricane warning for Hawaii's islands of Kauai and Niihau has been extended, now running until 6 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, according to ABC7NY. The warning began at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 7.

    Sources disagree on the warning's classification. ABC7NY, CBS News, the New York Post, Newser, and NBC News report a Hurricane Warning, while Biztoc, Fox10 Phoenix, Newsday, and Fox7 Austin report a Tropical Storm Warning. The National Hurricane Center, the National Weather Service in Honolulu, and the Central Pacific Hurricane Center are each named as issuing offices by different outlets.

    Hurricane Lowell, a Category 3 storm, is expected to pass west of Kauai and Niihau late Monday and early Tuesday, according to NBC News. The storm could bring heavy rains, flooding, and mudslides, with rainfall totals of 6 to 10 inches and maximum totals of 14 inches possible for Kauai, as reported by CBS News and Newsday. The Kauai Emergency Management Agency has urged residents to fill gas tanks, charge devices, refill prescriptions, and have enough food and water to stay home for several days, according to Fox7 Austin and Newsday.

  2. Sep 6, 2026, 5:15 p.m. ET

    Tropical Storm Warning Issued for Hawaii's Offshore Waters Near Kauai and Niihau

    A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Hawaii's offshore waters, according to biztoc.com. The warning, issued by the National Hurricane Center, signals that tropical storm conditions are expected or occurring within the warned area.

    The warning covers Hawaii's offshore waters, including areas near Kauai and Niihau, as reported by biztoc.com and taylorvilledailynews.com. Strengthening winds, building seas, and dangerous marine conditions are expected around the islands through the end of the week, according to biztoc.com.

    Lihue, on Kauai, is among the areas mentioned in reports from taylorvilledailynews.com.

  3. Sep 2, 2026, 5:15 p.m. ETFirst report

    Tropical Storm Warning Issued for Hawaii's Offshore Waters

    A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Hawaii's offshore waters, according to biztoc.com. The warning covers strengthening winds, building seas, and dangerous marine conditions around the islands through the end of the week.

    The warning is in effect for the offshore waters, with hazardous conditions expected to persist. The exact timing of the warning's start and end has not been specified in the report.

    As of the latest report, the situation is developing, and further updates may follow.

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Sources

Revision history

  1. Version 118 Sept 2026, 21:48current

    Updated to reflect the latest reporting on Hurricane Lowell's approach, including conflicting warning levels and issuing offices.

  2. Version 108 Sept 2026, 13:12

    Updated headline to include 'Kauai and Niihau' to satisfy the headline_place_missing warning. No other changes made.

  3. Version 98 Sept 2026, 03:57

    Modified headline to include 'Kauai and Niihau' and 'Hawaii' to satisfy the headline_place_missing check. No other changes made.

  4. Version 88 Sept 2026, 01:12

    Updated to reflect additional sources and clarified conflicting reports on alert level and issuing office.

  5. Version 77 Sept 2026, 23:59

    Added 'Kauai and Niihau' to the headline to satisfy the place requirement. No other changes made.

  6. Version 67 Sept 2026, 21:16

    Added 'Kauai and Niihau' to the headline to satisfy the place requirement.

  7. Version 57 Sept 2026, 15:53

    Added 'Kauai and Niihau' to the headline to satisfy the headline_place_missing check. No other changes were made.

  8. Version 47 Sept 2026, 15:18

    Added location names to headline. Added date 'September 7, 2026' to the sentence mentioning Sunday.

  9. Version 37 Sept 2026, 11:30

    Updated to include Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument in warning areas, clarify conflicting warning types, and expand impact details with sourced ranges.

  10. Version 26 Sept 2026, 21:15current

    Updated headline to include 'Hawaii's offshore waters' and 'Kauai and Niihau' to satisfy the headline_place_missing warning.

  11. Version 27 Sept 2026, 03:16

    Updated headline to include 'Kauai and Hawaii's offshore waters' to satisfy the headline_place_missing check.

  12. Version 12 Sept 2026, 21:22

    First published.

  13. Version 17 Sept 2026, 03:12

    First published.

  14. Version 12 Sept 2026, 21:15current

    First published.

  15. Version 18 Sept 2026, 13:06current

    First published.

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