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Tourists should skip Kauai for now as it recovers from Hurricane Lowell, officials say

Tourists should skip Kauai for now as it recovers from Hurricane Lowell, officials say

Tourism officials are asking visitors to steer clear of one of Hawaii’s most picturesque islands during recovery from the latest tropical storm to thrash the state

Hurricane Lowell Leaves Kauai Devastated, Power Outages Persist

Hurricane Lowell Leaves Kauai Devastated, Power Outages Persist

Hurricane Lowell, a Category 2 storm, has caused widespread destruction across Kauai, Hawaii, leaving approximately 75% of the island without power as of Wednesday, September 9, 2026. The storm brought strong winds, heavy rain, and a massive storm surge, which destroyed homes, roads, and public infrastructure along the southern and western coasts. Officials have confirmed one fatality on Kauai, a 74-year-old man whose death is believed to be related to the storm surge. Another death on Oahu is under investigation for potential links to the hurricane. Efforts to restore power are underway, with 9,000 of 36,000 customers reconnected so far. Crews are working through challenging conditions, including fallen trees and debris, to repair damaged transmission lines. Governor Josh Green has requested a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration to expedite federal assistance for Kauai and Maui counties.

Understanding FEMA Disaster Assistance: What You Need to Know

Understanding FEMA Disaster Assistance: What You Need to Know

Learn how FEMA's Disaster Case Management (DCM) program supports communities after natural disasters and why timely funding is crucial for recovery efforts.

Hawaii Governor Requests Federal Disaster Declaration After Hurricane Lowell

Hawaii Governor Requests Federal Disaster Declaration After Hurricane Lowell

Hawaii Governor Josh Green has formally requested an expedited major disaster declaration from the federal government following the impact of Hurricane Lowell. The announcement was made on September 9, 2026, as the state continues to assess and respond to the damage caused by the hurricane. State and county offices, public schools, and University of Hawaii campuses on Oʻahu have reopened, while closures persist on Kauaʻi. The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Defense are actively involved in response and recovery efforts. The hurricane has caused significant disruptions across the state, prompting the need for federal assistance.

Hawaii's western islands hit by fierce winds from Hurricane Lowell, knocking out power

Hawaii's western islands hit by fierce winds from Hurricane Lowell, knocking out power

Damaging winds and heavy rains from Hurricane Lowell pelted Hawaii’s western islands and has caused widespread power outages

Hawaii's western islands hit by fierce winds from Hurricane Lowell, leaving extensive damage

Hawaii's western islands hit by fierce winds from Hurricane Lowell, leaving extensive damage

Damaging winds and heavy rains from Hurricane Lowell pelted Hawaii’s western islands, causing widespread power outages

Understanding FEMA: How It Helps Communities During Disasters

Understanding FEMA: How It Helps Communities During Disasters

Learn about the role of FEMA in disaster management, its challenges, and how it supports communities before, during, and after emergencies.

Hurricane Lowell Causes Widespread Damage Across Kauaʻi

Hurricane Lowell Causes Widespread Damage Across Kauaʻi

Hurricane Lowell swept past Niʻihau and Kauaʻi overnight, leaving significant damage in its wake. The storm brought intense rains, strong winds, and a powerful coastal storm surge, with wave heights exceeding 25 feet. The storm caused widespread power outages, leaving 33,000 of Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative's 36,000 customers without electricity. Roads on the North Shore and Westside of Kauaʻi were rendered impassable due to flooding, debris, and sand. Infrastructure damage includes washed-out highways, destroyed piers, and damaged recreational facilities. Rainfall totals reached nearly 16 inches in some areas, with wind gusts peaking at 92 mph in Puʻu Lua. Kauaʻi officials are conducting damage assessments and working on recovery efforts. (Source time: 2026-09-08T21:23:22+00:00)

Kauai Residents Urged to Report Hurricane Lowell Damage

Kauai Residents Urged to Report Hurricane Lowell Damage

In the aftermath of Hurricane Lowell, Kauai residents are being encouraged to document and report any property damage to assist local officials in assessing the storm's impact. The Kauai Emergency Management Agency has introduced online assessment forms for both residential and business properties. These reports will help determine if the county qualifies for state or federal disaster assistance. However, residents and businesses are reminded that these reports do not replace the need to file separate insurance claims for damages and losses. The hurricane caused significant disruptions, including flooding and closures, but Oahu public schools and government offices are set to reopen as the storm has passed.

Flood Mitigation Assistance Program Opens for Applications in Florida

Flood Mitigation Assistance Program Opens for Applications in Florida

The Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Program, funded by FEMA and administered by the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), is now accepting applications for fiscal year 2026. This program aims to reduce or eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings and structures insurable under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Eligible applicants include state agencies, federally recognized tribes, local governments, and communities. The application process begins with the submission of a Notice of Interest (NOI) form, which must be completed and sent to the FDEM by August 14, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. EDT. The program supports various mitigation activities, such as property acquisition, structure elevation, floodproofing, and community flood mitigation projects. All projects must meet specific criteria, including cost-effectiveness, technical feasibility, and compliance with environmental laws and NFIP regulations. Funding is allocated based on the severity of flood risks and the type of ...

Georgia Power Urges Preparedness as Hurricane Season Peaks

Georgia Power Urges Preparedness as Hurricane Season Peaks

Georgia Power is emphasizing the importance of emergency preparedness as the peak of hurricane season approaches. In collaboration with FEMA and the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, the company is promoting National Preparedness Month throughout September. While Georgia has not yet faced a major hurricane or tropical storm this season, Georgia Power is leveraging its Smart Grid technology to enhance reliability and reduce outage times. In 2025, these efforts prevented 108 million customer outage minutes and improved reliability for over 535,000 customers. The company is urging its 2.8 million customers to build emergency kits, create evacuation plans, and understand local risks to better prepare for potential disasters. Resources such as outage alerts, an interactive outage map, and safety tips are available to help residents stay informed during emergencies.

Hurricane Lowell Causes Widespread Damage in Kauaʻi

Hurricane Lowell Causes Widespread Damage in Kauaʻi

Hurricane Lowell swept past Niʻihau overnight, leaving Kauaʻi with significant damage. The storm brought intense rains, winds, and a coastal storm surge, causing widespread power outages affecting 33,000 of 36,000 residents. Roads on the North Shore and Westside were impassable due to flooding and debris, with some highways buried under sand and boulders. Kauaʻi officials are assessing damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure, while urging residents to stay off roads and conserve water. High surf conditions continue across the Hawaiian Islands, with wave heights exceeding 25 feet. The storm's abrupt northward turn toward the Main Hawaiian Islands evoked memories of Hurricane ʻIniki in 1992.