Hurricane Lowell: List of School Closures in Hawaii as Storm Hits
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0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. Hawaii officials have closed schools and government offices across parts of the state as Hurricane Lowell approaches the islands, bringing the threat of hurricane-force winds, flash flooding, damaging surf and possible tornadoes.
As of Monday night, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Lowell was located about 135 miles southwest of Lihue, Kauai, with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph.
The storm was moving north-northeast at 18 mph and was forecast to pass near or just west of Niihau overnight into Tuesday while remaining a hurricane.
The Hawaii State Department of Education announced that all public schools and offices on Oahu and in Kauai County would be closed Tuesday, September 8, because of anticipated impacts from Hurricane Lowell.
School-related activities, including athletics, extracurricular events and meetings, have also been canceled.
Governor Josh Green also ordered the closure of state and county offices, courts and other government facilities in the affected areas as officials prepared for deteriorating weather conditions.
" Closing offices and schools will help keep people off the roads, reduce unnecessary travel and allow emergency crews to focus on protecting our communities," Green said.
At the time of the closure announcement, schools in Maui County and on Hawaii Island were expected to remain open, though officials said they would continue to monitor conditions.
The NHC has issued a Hurricane Warning for Kauai County, including Kauai and Niihau, while Oahu remains under a Tropical Storm Warning.
Hurricane conditions were expected to begin in Kauai County overnight on Monday, with tropical storm force conditions forecast for Oahu.
Forecasters warned that Lowell could produce additional rainfall of between 4 and 8 inches across Kauai, with storm totals reaching as much as 24 inches in isolated areas.
Oahu is expected to receive another 2 to 5 inches of rain, with totals potentially reaching up to 10 inches. The heavy rainfall could be enough to trigger “ significant flash flooding and mudslides ,” the NHC warns.
The storm is also expected to generate dangerous surf, “ life-threatening ” rip currents and coastal flooding. Storm surge could raise water levels by 2 to 4 feet in parts of Kauai County and up to 1 foot on Oahu, according to the NHC .
In addition, forecasters warned that several tornadoes could develop near Kauai and Niihau overnight on Monday, with a few tornadoes also possible elsewhere across the Hawaiian Islands.
The NHC expects Lowell to continue moving north-northeast through Tuesday before turning northwest and slowing down after passing the Hawaiian Islands. While gradual weakening is forecast during the coming days, the storm is expected to remain a hurricane during its closest approach to the state.
Education officials said schools and offices will be assessed after the storm passes to determine when it is safe to resume operations.
Residents have been urged to stay off the roads during hazardous conditions, avoid floodwaters and shorelines, prepare for possible power outages, and monitor official forecasts as Lowell moves past the islands.
Green urged people to “ remain indoors, avoid unnecessary travel and follow all official emergency instructions .”
Newsweek has emailed the Hawaii Department of Education and Governor Josh Green's Office for comment.
Contact Newsweek editor on this story: Edward Pearcey.
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