Hurricane Lowell track has nudged east, raising chances for near hurricane-force gusts on Kauai, as well as heavy rain across the Hawaiian Islands.

A tropical storm warning has been issued for Kauai and Niihau as Hurricane Lowell, a Category 3 cyclone, continues on a path to move just west of the islands. Papahanaumokuakea Marine National

Hurricane Lowell became the third storm in as many weeks to affect the Hawaiian Islands this week, drenching the western islands with surf.

The way forward as Hurricane Lowell recedes is not perfectly clear — Kauai and Niihau took a beating early Tuesday from wind, rain and storm surge — but the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) plainly needs help,

The powerful storm is not expected to make a direct landfall but is still forecast to bring serious weather to the islands.

Kauai County will close all county parks and campgrounds while opening five refuge areas beginning at 5 p.m. today in anticipation of approaching Hurricane Lowell, according to a news release.

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.