Updated September 7, 2026 – 5:00 p.m. HST
Kauai County remains under a Hurricane Warning as Hurricane Lowell approaches the island. The storm’s core is forecast to pass just west of Niʻihau tonight and early Tuesday, bringing the potential for damaging hurricane conditions across Kauai County.
As of the National Weather Service’s 11:00 a.m. advisory Monday, Lowell had weakened somewhat, with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph, but remains a powerful hurricane. The latest forecast track was nudged slightly eastward, with the center expected to pass just west of Niʻihau tonight.
NOAA expects damaging hurricane conditions in Kauai County tonight and early Tuesday, with the strongest winds expected at higher elevations and along windward and leeward slopes. Large, damaging waves and coastal flooding remain significant concerns, along with heavy rainfall that may produce flash flooding and mudslides.
Kauai Emergency Management Agency (KEMA) is urging residents and visitors in exposed single-story oceanfront properties along Kauaʻi’s south and west shores to move to a safer location while travel remains safe.
What to Expect on Kauai
Damaging hurricane conditions are expected across Kauai County tonight and early Tuesday, with the highest winds expected at higher elevations and along windward and leeward slopes.
Lowell is expected to bring an additional 6 to 10 inches of rain across Kauai, with totals of up to 14 inches possible in some areas. Significant flash flooding and mudslides are possible.
Ocean conditions are expected to be particularly dangerous. A High Surf Warning is in effect for south-facing shores, where surf is forecast to build rapidly from 7 to 10 feet Monday morning to 20 to 30 feet Monday afternoon and evening.
Storm surge of 2 to 4 feet above normally dry ground is also possible along coastal areas. Large and destructive waves combined with storm surge could result in significant coastal flooding.
Stay out of the ocean and away from all shorelines. Do not go to the coast to watch the surf or take photographs.
Watch Poipu Beach Conditions Live
Want to see current ocean conditions without heading to the shoreline? Watch our Poipu Beach live webcam for a real-time view of Kauai’s South Shore, as long as power and internet service remain available.
Guidance for Parrish Guests
The Parrish Collection has been preparing our Kauai vacation rentals and communicating directly with our in-house guests throughout the storm.
Our team has completed final property checks, including securing outdoor furnishings and loose items and verifying that homes are prepared for the expected conditions.
Guests staying in some of our most exposed oceanfront properties have been proactively relocated to accommodations farther inland.
Guests should:
- Guests in exposed oceanfront properties should follow Parrish or emergency-official relocation guidance and move to a safer location while roads remain passable.
- All other guests should remain at their accommodations and shelter in place during the strongest weather unless directed otherwise by emergency officials.
- Stay away from beaches, rocky shorelines and all oceanfront areas.
- Do not swim, surf, snorkel or enter the ocean.
- Keep doors and windows securely closed.
- Charge phones and essential electronic devices in preparation for possible power outages.
- Avoid unnecessary travel and never drive through flooded roadways or around barricades.
- Store drinking water and use water conservatively should power outages affect County water pumps or wells.
For the safety of our employees, Parrish field operations will be limited to emergency response only once conditions deteriorate and County officials have asked people to remain off the roads.
Flights and Travel
Līhuʻe Airport closed at 2:30 p.m. Monday, September 7. All flights scheduled to arrive at or depart from Līhuʻe Airport after that time have been canceled.
Travelers should confirm their flight status directly with their airline before leaving their accommodations or attempting to travel to the airport.
Guests whose travel plans are affected should contact our team directly. We will assist with changes and extensions where possible and subject to availability.
County Closures and Refuge Areas
All County parks and campgrounds, Wailua Golf Course, State Parks and State Forest Reserves are currently closed until further notice. The Kauai Bus is not operating its regular schedule Monday as buses are being used to support transportation to refuge areas.
Kauai County and the American Red Cross have opened potential refuge areas in Kīlauea, Kapaʻa, Līhuʻe, Kalāheo and Waimea. County officials emphasize that refuge areas are intended as a last resort and that sheltering in place may be appropriate for people in sound structures outside areas threatened by flooding or storm surge.
Those in exposed coastal or otherwise unsafe locations should move to a safer location while travel remains safe.
Stay Informed
Conditions and forecasts can change quickly. Visitors and residents should rely on official emergency information throughout the storm.
For official Kauai Emergency Management Agency notifications, text KAUAIEMA to 888777.
Please reserve 9-1-1 for life-threatening or time-critical emergencies. Do not call 9-1-1 for weather or road-condition updates.
Kauai Emergency Management Agency (KEMA) — official County emergency information and refuge updates.
National Weather Service – Honolulu — current warnings and forecasts.
Kauai Island Utility Cooperative Outage Center — power outage information.
Kauai Department of Water — water service information.
The Parrish Collection will continue monitoring Hurricane Lowell closely and will update this page as new information becomes available.
To our guests, owners, employees and everyone across Kauai: please stay safe, stay indoors and allow emergency personnel to do their jobs as Lowell passes the island.