Hawaii Declares Emergency as Hurricane Nears

Residents of Hawaii's westernmost islands are being told to hurry up and hunker down. A hurricane warning is now in place for the islands of Kauai and Niihau, with Lowell—currently a Category 3 storm—expected to pass west of Niihau Monday night, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Kauai and Niihau are also under a tropical storm warning, with forecasters urging residents to finish preparations to protect life and property within the next 36 hours, per the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Gov. Josh Green has declared a state of emergency for the whole state.

Lowell, packing 115mph winds as of Sunday night, is forecast to weaken but stay at hurricane strength as it brushes the state. The center of the storm is predicted to pass 100 miles west of Niihau and 150 miles west of Kauai, covering part of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, late Monday into Tuesday, per CNN. Kauai could see up to 14 inches of rain, with lower but still heavy totals on other islands, raising the risk of flash floods and mudslides, reports CBS News. Forecasters also warn of coastal flooding, destructive surf of up to 20 feet, dangerous rip currents, and the possibility of tornadoes.