Los Angeles, Sep 5 : Hurricane Lowell, located several hundred miles south of the Hawaiian Islands, has been rapidly strengthening, prompting Hawaii Governor Josh Green to declare a statewide emergency to support preparations for potential impacts from the storm.

Hurricane Lowell has strengthened back to Category 4, with sustained winds of about 240 kilometres per hour and a central pressure of 926 millibars. It was located about 985 kilometres south of Lihue, Hawaii, as of Friday morning local time, according to an update from the US National Hurricane Center on Friday (local time).

Lowell, which was briefly a Category 5 on Wednesday, was forecast to strengthen further Friday afternoon, according to the US National Weather Service (NWS).

The latest forecast track shows Lowell will remain near major hurricane strength as it moves closer to the western Hawaiian Islands late Monday and Monday night. Weather impacts such as high surf and heavy rain may extend hundreds of miles from the centre of Hurricane Lowell, according to the NWS.

Green signed an emergency proclamation on Thursday covering the entire state to support preparations for and potential impacts from Hurricane Lowell, Hurricane Karina, Tropical Storm Marie and any additional storms that could affect Hawaii, reports Xinhua news agency.

The proclamation allows state and county agencies to mobilise personnel, equipment and resources more quickly as Hawaii continues recovering from Tropical Cyclone Lala.

"This proclamation gives our agencies and counties the flexibility to move people, equipment and resources quickly so we can protect communities across every island. We encourage everyone to remain prepared and continue following official weather updates," Green said.

/IANS