Hurricane Lala was downgraded to a tropical storm on Sunday after skirting past Hawaii without making landfall. Despite the downgrade, it continued to impact the Big Island with strong hurricane-force gusts. The region was bracing for significant rainfall of nearly one meter on the higher windward slopes, leading to the risk of flooding and mudslides.
Tropical storm conditions were extending westward from Maui to Oahu and then Kauai. The National Hurricane Center cautioned that wind speeds at higher elevations and on both windward and leeward slopes could be up to 30 per cent stronger than the winds used to classify storms.
The Big Island experienced powerful waves along its coast as Hurricane Lala moved through. The storm brought howling winds, causing palm trees to sway and rivers to swell with fast-flowing runoff due to heavy sideways rain. Over 130,000 households were left without power on Sunday across Hawaii’s major islands, with three hospitals operating on generators, as reported by Gov. Josh Green.
Tragically, one person lost their life in a car accident in the South Point area, and the governor mentioned that 19 roofs were destroyed in the storm. The severe weather led to road closures and impacted numerous locations across the island.
A search-and-rescue operation, involving Civil Defense, the National Guard, and Coast Guard, was initiated after flash floods swept occupied homes off their foundations in coastal communities near the island’s southern tip. The challenging conditions included rushing water, debris, and boulders on roads, making rescue efforts difficult.
Tropical storm warnings were issued for multiple islands as Lala moved westward, raising concerns about potential flooding and wildfires caused by strong winds. The storm, with sustained winds of 110 km/h, was positioned about 170 kilometers west-northwest of Kailua-Kona and 160 kilometers south of Honolulu. Forecasters anticipated Lala to regain hurricane strength later in the week as it moved away from the island chain.
The aftermath of Lala’s passage was expected to bring significant rainfall to higher-altitude areas on the Big Island, posing risks to residents living in improvised housing on steep slopes. Precautions were taken, including opening shelters, canceling events, and advising ranchers to secure cattle in safer locations.
Residents across the island prepared for potential flash flooding and fallen trees, with concerns about road blockages and property damage. Despite the challenges, the community remained resilient and proactive in their preparations for the storm’s impact.