KIUC preps for Hurricane Lowell, residents prepare for potential days-long outages

LIHUE, Kauaʻi (HawaiiNewsNow) – The Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) has been preparing all week for Hurricane Lowell, with crews finishing last-minute tree trimming in high-risk areas across the island on Saturday.

Read more Downed tree prompts contraflow along Kamehameha Highway in Windward Oahu

KIUC officials have directed line crews to rest on Sunday ahead of what is expected to be a very busy Monday as the storm approaches.

Residents are being warned to prepare for prolonged blackouts if the storm damages the island’s electrical grid.

“We want people to know and anticipate if power does go out, you could be out of power for quite some time,” said Beth Amaro, KIUC member services and communications manager. “It could be probably definitely hours for sure, possibly days. So you do want to be prepared for that.”

Amaro urged residents to remain both ready and patient as the utility navigates unpredictable storm conditions.

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“We just don’t know with this one how difficult those conditions will be,” Amaro said. “So being prepared and being patient is the best advice we can give.”

Utility officials said customers do not need to call to report standard power outages.

If residents spot a downed power line or other immediate safety hazards, they should call 911 and KIUC at 808-246-4300.

Read more Hurricane Lowell sends dangerous swell toward Hawaii

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