Hurricane Lala Weakens After Skirting Hawaii’s Big Island
Hurricane Lala weakened to a tropical storm on Sunday after passing near the southern tip of Hawaii’s Big Island without making landfall. Despite the downgrade, authorities warned that heavy rain, strong winds, flooding and mudslides remained serious risks across the state.
Forecasters expected nearly one metre of rain on some higher windward slopes of the Big Island. Rivers and waterways rose rapidly, roads flooded and powerful waves struck coastal areas. Tropical storm conditions were moving west toward Maui, Oahu and Kauai, with warnings in effect across much of the island chain.
More than 130,000 households on Hawaii’s three largest islands were without electricity Sunday morning. At least three hospitals were relying on generators. Officials reported that one person died in a vehicle accident near South Point, while 19 roofs were lost and more than 30 road sites were affected.
A multi-agency search-and-rescue operation began after flash floods reportedly swept occupied homes from their foundations in Na’alehu and Wai’ohinu. Crews faced rushing water, debris, boulders and darkness as they attempted to reach affected communities.
As of early Sunday, Lala was about 170 kilometres west-northwest of Kailua-Kona and 160 kilometres south of Honolulu. It had sustained winds of 110 kilometres per hour and was moving northwest at roughly 24 kilometres per hour. Forecasters said the system could regain hurricane strength after moving west of Hawaii.
Residents prepared by opening shelters, cancelling events, filling water tanks, readying generators and collecting supplies. Officials continued to urge caution because mountain terrain can produce winds stronger than standard storm measurements suggest. The storm followed destructive flooding in Hawaii in March, leaving some communities facing another significant recovery effort.
Emergency officials said conditions could remain dangerous even as Lala moved away, particularly in low-lying areas, near unstable slopes and along roads blocked by fallen trees and debris.