Hurricane Lala weakened to a tropical storm on Sunday as it passed near Hawaii without directly hitting the state. However, the storm still brought strong winds and heavy rainfall, causing almost a meter of rain in some areas and leading to flash floods and landslides.
Emergency teams, including Civil Defence, the National Guard, and a coast guard helicopter, conducted rescue operations after reports of homes being swept away in Na’alehu and Wai’ohinu on the Big Island’s southern coast. Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda described the rescue efforts as challenging due to rushing water, debris, and darkness.
Tragically, one person died in a vehicle accident in the South Point area of the Big Island, according to Governor Josh Green. Honolulu experienced significant impacts from the storm, with the Fire Department responding to numerous incidents including downed trees, damaged roofs, and power line issues.
The state remained under a flash flood warning, although the National Hurricane Center downgraded the Big Island to a flood advisory. Meteorologist Stephen Parker emphasized the importance of staying home until the threats of heavy rain, mudslides, and flooding subside.
Over 200,000 homes and businesses were left without power, with a majority of outages occurring on the Big Island. Hospitals operated on generator power as powerful waves battered the coast and rainfall continued. Tropical storm warnings were in effect for several islands, with concerns about potential flooding and wildfires sparked by strong winds.
As of the latest update, Lala was located west of Honolulu with sustained winds of 100 km/h. The storm was moving at a speed of 28 km/h and was expected to maintain its intensity for the next few days. While the situation remains critical, forecasters anticipate Lala could strengthen back into a hurricane later in the week.
The storm’s impact has been severe, causing significant damage to properties and businesses like the Punalu’u Bake Shop on the Big Island. Residents across Hawaii are bracing for the worst, with many still recovering from previous storms and floods. Despite the challenges, community members noted improved preparedness and communication efforts by authorities during this crisis.