Kauai has been told to brace for damaging winds, flooding rain and dangerous surf as Hurricane Lowell approaches.

As the hurricane moved closer, the Hawaiian island of Kauai’s annual marathon was canceled. Some residents went ahead with their holiday weekend plans.

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

Officials in Hawaii are urging residents to prepare for heavy rains and flooding as Hurricane Lowell, a major Category 3 storm, prompted forecasters to issue a tropical storm warning for two islands.

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.

Forecasters warn Lowell could be near major hurricane strength as it moves close to the western Hawaiian Islands next week.

The strongest of these Central and Eastern Pacific hurricanes is Lowell, which peaked twice as a Category 5 storm over the Labor Day weekend and was expected to pass just west of Kauai and Niihau on Monday night, forcing a tropical storm warning and hurricane watch for Kauai County and a tropical storm watch for Oahu (see below).

Lowell is forecast to make its closest approach late Monday night, passing just west of Kauai’s coastal waters, likely as a Category 2 or 3 hurricane. A Tropical Storm Watch is currently active for both Kauai and Niihau.