Emergency siren sounds on Niihau ahead of Hurricane Lowell
LIHUE (HawaiiNewsNow) - The Kauai Emergency Management Agency (KEMA) sounded the outdoor warning siren on Niihau as hurricane-force winds from Hurricane Lowell moved toward the island Monday evening.
The county said the siren was activated before the winds were forecast to arrive to give residents a final signal to shelter indoors.
KEMA said the trigger for the sirens sounding was the imminent arrival of sustained hurricane-force winds of 74 mph or greater.
Sirens on Kauaʻi have not been activated, officials said. If forecast conditions warrant, KEMA may activate sirens on Kauaʻi later using the same trigger — the imminent arrival of hurricane-force winds.
Any activation will be announced through Kauai County’s emergency notification system.
The National Weather Service forecast the core of Hurricane Lowell to pass near or just west of Niihau Monday night and into early Tuesday.
Kauai and Niihau are under a hurricane warning, meaning hurricane conditions of strong winds and heavy rain are expected.
A tornado watch is also in effect until 4 a.m. Kauai, Niihau and surrounding waters for tornadoes and waterspouts associated with Lowell.
Read more: Hurricane warning for Kauai County, tropical storm warning for Oahu as Lowell closes in
Residents and visitors are encouraged to sign up for the County’s emergency notification system, Everbridge. Registration can be done at www.kauai.gov/kema by clicking on “Notification Services.”
Other important numbers and resources:
- Kauai Emergency Management Agency: kauai.gov/KEMA
- National Weather Service: weather.gov/hfo or 808-245-6001
- Kauai Department of Water: 808-245-5400 or kauaiwater.org
- Road and closure conditions: 808-241-1725
- For life-threatening emergencies, always call 9-1-1. For non-emergency assistance, please call Kauaʻi Police Department Dispatch at 808-241-1711.
- For ocean safety information, please visit safebeachday.com or call the Kauai Fire Department Ocean Safety Bureau at 808-241-4984.
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