Hawaii braces for Hurricane Lowell amid risk of dangerous winds, flash floods

Hawaii officials urged residents and visitors to prepare for heavy rainfall and dangerous winds as Hurricane Lowell appeared set to barrel close to the islands of Kauai and Niihau.

Winds will increase throughout the day and peak overnight as Lowell, a Category 3 storm, passes just west of the state. The strongest impacts will likely be felt between 6 p.m. Monday and 6 a.m. Tuesday local time.

The National Hurricane Center on Sunday issued a hurricane warning for Kauai County, which includes Kauai and Niihau, meaning the locations may face hurricane conditions within 48 hours.

Extremely dangerous surf may batter the southern and western exposed shores of Kauai, Niihau and Oahu, the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HEMA) said.

Officials have asked anyone who lives along the coast or in low-lying areas to be ready to evacuate.

Hurricane Lowell is expected to produce additional rainfall totals of 6 to 10 inches for Kauai, with a possible maximum total of 16 inches. On the Big Island, 4 to 8 inches of rain is expected, with isolated totals of 12 inches possible.

This rainfall could produce significant flash flooding and mudslides, especially across Kauai County and portions of the Big Island.

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Wind gusts of up to 74 miles per hour will be possible in Kauai County and up to 40 miles per hour on Oahu on Monday and Tuesday, HEMA said.

Hawaii officials warned of possible power outages as a result of high winds or flash flooding.

In Poipu, a resort town on the southern coast of Kauai, officials called on residents to stay off roads and urged tourists to shelter in place. Campgrounds and parks were closed.

The Kauai Emergency Management Agency advised residents to secure loose items around their property, fill their gas tank, charge their devices, refill prescriptions, and make sure their household retains sufficient water, food and emergency supplies.

ABC News' Kenton Gewecke and Kayna Whitworth contributed to this report.