Hurricane Lowell prompts warnings for Hawaii

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Hurricane warnings have been issued for parts of Hawaii as Hurricane Lowell approaches the western Hawaiian Islands, with tropical storm warnings also in effect for Oahu, according to the latest updates from the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) and the National Hurricane Center (NHC) on Monday. Hurricane warnings are now in effect for Kauai, Niihau and surrounding waters to the north, south and west, according to the NWS Honolulu office. The center of Lowell is forecast to pass near or west of Niihau Monday night and early Tuesday, and hurricane conditions are expected in Kauai County beginning Monday night, the NHC said in an update. Conditions are expected to deteriorate Monday afternoon. Higher wind gusts are expected atop mountains and on windward and leeward slopes, according to the NHC. Hurricane Lowell is expected to produce significant flash flooding and mudslides, especially across Kauai County and portions of the Big Island, the NHC said. Swells generated by Lowell are expected to produce life-threatening surf and rip current conditions across many of the Hawaiian Islands over the next several days, the NHC warned. ■