Hurricane hunters fly through the eye of Hurricane Lowell

(NBC, KYMA) - Hurricane Lowell, now a Category 2 storm, is barreling toward the Hawaiian islands.

The National Weather Service has issued Hurricane Warnings for two islands, Kauai and Ni Ihau, and a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Oahu.

Earlier in the day, Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters released video of their flight directly into the eye of the storm.

Crews with the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, braving a wall of clouds and strong turbulence.

Their mission, to collect critical data to help forecasters determine Lowell's intensity and track.

The worst of the storm is expected to occur overnight night into Tuesday morning.

Officials are urging residents to hunker down, as high wind gusts and flooding is expected.