Hurricane Lowell was skirting western Hawaii, bringing damaging winds, heavy rain and punishing waves, the National Hurricane Center said.

Hurricane Lowell remains a powerful Category 4 storm south of Hawaii with forecasts showing a potential turn northward toward Kauaʻi and Niʻihau while bringing possible storm surge, wind, and rain to parts of the state;

A monster hurricane threatening nearly one million Americans has sparked panic buying, emptying shelves and sending drivers scrambling for gas.

Meteorologists warn that while Lowell's eye is projected to pass roughly 130 miles west of Kauaʻi and Niʻihau, the hurricane's vast circulation will unleash life-threatening surf, damaging ocean surges up to three feet, and isolated rainfall totals reaching 14 inches.

Major Category 5 Hurricane Lowell is generally maintaining its westward tracking, but its future track, indicating a northward turn come this weekend, is putting Hawaii on high alert for potential direct impacts.