Category 3 Hurricane Lowell Bears Down on Hawaii, Brings Widespread Panic Buying

A powerful Category 3 hurricane named Lowell is barreling toward Hawaii, prompting widespread panic buying and empty shelves. The storm has sustained winds of 120mph and even stronger gusts, with a large wind field that allows it to hammer communities even if its center remains offshore.

Shoppers on Kauai have rushed to stock up, leaving empty shelves at Home Depot and dwindling supplies of plywood. Long lines formed at Costco and gas pumps, as drivers scrambled for fuel. Kiare Reis-Torres, a Kauai resident, said 'I've never experienced this, but I know that when I went to Big Save yesterday, most of the shelves were empty.'

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued an urgent warning for waters surrounding Kauai, where tropical storm conditions are expected from Monday morning through Tuesday afternoon. A hurricane warning is in effect for Kauai County, including Kauai and Niihau, where officials said preparations to protect lives and property must be rushed to completion.

Lowell's outer rainbands were already spreading across Kauai and Oahu on Monday morning, with forecasters warning of up to 14 inches of rain, significant flash flooding, mudslides, and destructive waves. Several tornadoes are possible, and life-threatening surf threatens the islands for days.