High Surf — Kauai Windward, Hawaii

2013-01-17 to 2013-01-22 · Kauai Windward, Hawaii

Wider weather episode

A swell from a powerful low far northwest of the islands generated surf of 15 to 30 feet along the north- and west-facing shores of Niihau and Kauai, and the north-facing shores of Oahu, Molokai, and Maui; 10 to 20 feet along the west-facing shores of Oahu, Molokai, and Maui; 10 to 15 feet along the west-facing shores of the Big Island of Hawaii; and 8 to 12 feet along the west-facing shores of Lanai and Kahoolawe.

Two men were swept away by the large waves on the north shore of Kauai in the later afternoon of the 18th. Lifeguards on Oahu, alone, accounted for more than 2000 safety actions with this high surf episode. Many beaches were closed for a time because of the rough conditions, and several roadways near the shoreline on the individual isles became covered with debris from waves breaking beyond the beach areas. The costs of any property damage were not available.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 424565. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.