LIHUE, Hawaii - Officials in Hawaii urged residents and visitors to prepare for heavy rains, flooding and possibly mudslides as Hurricane Lowell, a major Category 3 storm, prompted the National Hurricane Center to issue a tropical storm warning for two islands on Sunday.

The Miami-based center issued the warning for Kauai and Niihau as Lowell was forecast to pass the islands to the west late Monday and Tuesday while traveling north.

Forecasters said rainfall totals of 6-10 inches (15-25 centimeters), with maximum totals of 14 inches (36 centimeters), were possible.