Hurricane Lowell tore across Kauai overnight, and while the mess is bad, residents say the outcome could have been far worse.

• Trees, power lines, and poles came down along Kuhio Highway, with debris scattered across the north shore route.
• Strong winds ripped roofing off at least one building, but no serious injuries have been reported.
• State transportation crews moved around the island clearing roads, drawing praise from people stuck behind blocked routes.
• Neighbors and strangers checked on each other through the night, something Mayor Derek Kawakami had predicted would carry the island through.

Outlook: Cleanup and power outages will likely disrupt daily life on Kauai for the next several days before things return to normal.