Disaster record
Hurricane Lowell (September 2026) — Hawaii
Summary
Hurricane Lowell passed west of Niihau on the night of September 7, 2026, as a Category 2 hurricane. There was no official landfall. Kauai took the worst of it: hurricane-force gusts, widespread power loss, storm surge, and flash flooding. Tropical-storm conditions reached Oahu. Rain fell statewide. Two people died on Kauai and one on Oahu.
Six months assessment pending. Target cutoff Mar 7, 2027. Figures will use only sources available on or before that date.
Scientific attribution
Lowell stayed over warmer water than storms near Hawaii usually meet. Climate Central said human-caused warming made that warm water more likely, and that extra warmth added rain. The Guardian and CNN said a developing El Niño also steered more Pacific storms toward Hawaii. That does not mean climate change was the only cause.
Sep 7, 2026 · Kauai County — Kauai and Niihau; tropical-storm conditions on Oahu; rain statewide · hurricane
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Messaging tallies
About these tallies
“Core Democratic Officials reviewed” shows how many of the 51 Core Democratic Officials have been examined for this disaster. Scoring rules: Methods.
Democratic framing
Summary
Sens. Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono named this storm in the seven-day window. Climate connection is no. Republican obstruction of climate action is no.
On September 13 they asked President Trump to approve a major disaster declaration for Kauai and Maui after Hurricane Lowell. They described power outages, closed ports, and damaged roads. They did not say climate change caused this storm.
Statements
- Brian Schatz (U.S. Senator (D-HI)) — Sep 13, 2026
- Mazie Hirono (U.S. Senator (D-HI)) — Sep 13, 2026
Republican framing
No Republican official named this storm in the seven-day window in a way that is on the public record here. Hawaii has no Republican U.S. senators or House members. President Trump’s disaster-declaration approval came in October, after the window.
Sources
- Trump approves major disaster aid for Hawaii after Lala, Lowell — Honolulu Star-Advertiser
- Gov. Green Announces Two Major Disaster Declaration Approvals to Help Hawaii Recover — Office of Gov. Josh Green
- Hawaii Congressional Delegation Urges Approval of Presidential Disaster Declaration Requests Following Hurricanes Lowell and Lala — Office of U.S. Senator Brian Schatz
- Hurricane Lowell event summary (post-tropical cyclone data) — National Weather Service Honolulu
- Hurricane Lowell linked to at least 2 deaths in Hawaii — Associated Press via WSB
- Hawaii has often dodged the path of hurricanes. Why did it see so many storms this summer? — The Guardian
- Hurricane Lowell - September 2026 — National Weather Service Honolulu
- Gov. Green Requests Expedited Major Disaster Declaration Following Hurricane Lowell — Office of Gov. Josh Green
- Hurricane Lowell cancels school and brings heavy rain to Hawaii — Associated Press
- Hurricane Lowell’s torrential Hawaii rainfall linked to climate change boosted Pacific warmth — Climate Central
- Hurricane Lowell Tropical Cyclone Public Advisory 49 — passing just west of Niihau — National Hurricane Center
- Hurricane Lowell expected to pass near one Hawaiian island and cause major rains statewide — Associated Press
- Hawaii residents told to expect tropical storm conditions as Hurricane Lowell passes to the west — PBS NewsHour