Hurricane Marie's remnants bring dangerous surf to Southern California
Hurricane Marie's remnants produce dangerous surf in Southern California.
Event / Disaster
Hurricane Lowell Hawaii
Hurricane Lowell struck Hawaii's western islands on September 8, 2024, as the strongest hurricane to affect the main Hawaiian Islands since 1992, causing approximately 90% power outages in Kauai County, extensive structural damage, and significant rainfall. Remnants of Hurricane Marie continued to create dangerous surf conditions in Southern California.
4 reported locations
Daily activity
2 articles0 articles
2026-09-09 to 2026-11-06 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 9 Sept, 03:31 UTC
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What happened
Hurricane Lowell strikes Hawaii's western islands with Category 2 force
Hurricane Lowell affected Hawaii's western islands on September 8, 2024, as a Category 1 storm after brushing the island of Niihau as a Category 2. This made it the strongest hurricane to affect the main Hawaiian Islands since Hurricane Iniki in 1992. The storm's center passed within 50 miles of Niihau in Kauai County.
Widespread power outages across Kauai from Hurricane Lowell winds
Hurricane Lowell caused approximately 90% of Kauai County to lose power. About 35,000 members of the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative were without power early Tuesday. On the island of Oahu, the storm knocked out power to more than 30,000 homes and businesses. Wind gusts reached 80 mph on Kauai, with sustained winds measured at just above 50 mph at Lihue Airport.
Heavy rainfall and flooding threat from Hurricane Lowell in Hawaii
Hurricane Lowell brought heavy rains and flooding threats to Hawaii's western islands. Rainfall totals could reach up to 24 inches in some areas on Kauai. Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island also were expected to see large amounts of rain. Damaging winds, heavy flooding, and dangerous surf were expected through at least Tuesday morning and possibly all day.
School and government closures in Hawaii as precaution for Hurricane Lowell
Hawaii Governor Josh Green closed schools and government offices on Kauai, Niihau, and Oahu on Tuesday ahead of Hurricane Lowell's impact.
Hurricane Lowell is third tropical storm system to affect Hawaii in weeks
Hurricane Lowell became the third storm in as many weeks to affect the Hawaiian Islands. In the previous month, Tropical Storm Lala brushed past Hawaii and caused landslides, washing away about 100 homes and causing widespread power outages.
Coastal flooding from Hurricane Lowell on Oahu's western edge
Floodwaters from Hurricane Lowell topped a coastal highway along Oahu's western edge north of Honolulu, forcing road closures. In Mākaha, high surf inundated areas on the island's leeward coast, forcing closure of Farrington Highway and flooding some ground-floor apartments. In Malibu, California, a beachfront home's driveway that sits on pylons collapsed into a sinkhole from wave action.
Extensive structural damage and debris cleanup on Kauai from Hurricane Lowell
Hurricane Lowell caused extensive damage across Kauai, with downed power lines, downed trees, and debris scattered throughout the island. Emergency management personnel reported wind and storm surge damaged structures and caused storm-related injuries. Crews used heavy equipment to clear trees and debris from roads. About 300 people were staying in shelters on Kauai.
Remnants of Hurricane Marie create dangerous surf conditions in Southern California
What remained of Hurricane Marie was downgraded and is no longer considered a tropical storm. However, it was still creating dangerous surf conditions along the coast of Mexico's Baja California and Southern California. Swells with life-threatening surf and rip current conditions were expected to continue for several days.
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2 alternative perspectives
Category 2 Hurricane Lowell batters Hawaii's western islands with power outages
Category 2 Hurricane Lowell caused power outages, flooding, and damage across Hawaiian islands.