Hurricane Lala weakened to a tropical storm on Sunday as it brushed past Hawaii without making landfall. Despite this, the storm unleashed powerful gusts and heavy rainfall, with some areas receiving nearly one meter of rain and experiencing flash floods that swept homes off their foundations in Na’alehu and Wai’ohinu.
A search-and-rescue operation involving Civil Defence, the National Guard, and a coast guard helicopter was launched to assist in the affected coastal communities. Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda noted the challenges posed by rushing water, debris, and darkness during the rescue efforts.
Tragically, one fatality was reported in a vehicle accident in the South Point area of the Big Island. Honolulu bore the brunt of the storm on Sunday morning, with the fire department responding to numerous weather-related incidents, including downed trees, roofs, power lines, and a rescue operation for a swimmer.
Throughout the state, a flash flood warning was in effect, although the U.S. National Hurricane Center downgraded the Big Island to a flood advisory. Meteorologist Stephen Parker highlighted the ongoing threats of heavy rain, mudslides, downed trees, and flooding, urging residents to stay home until conditions improve.
By mid-morning, over 200,000 homes and businesses were without power, with the majority of outages concentrated on the Big Island. The storm’s impact included powerful waves along the coast and significant rainfall that triggered fast-moving runoff and flooding.
Tropical storm warnings remained active for several islands, with the potential for destructive flooding and wildfires due to strong winds. As of the latest update, Lala was located west of Honolulu, maintaining sustained winds of 100 km/h and moving at a west-northwest direction.
Forecasters anticipate little change in the storm’s intensity until Monday, with the possibility of Lala regaining hurricane status later in the week. The Big Island, especially areas around Mauna Kea, experienced substantial rainfall, heightening the risk of mudslides in vulnerable locations.
Precautionary measures were taken, including shelter openings and advice for ranchers to secure their livestock. The storm’s impact was severe, causing significant damage to structures like the Punalu’u Bake Shop and leaving residents like Kate McLellan on Oahu’s North Shore anxiously monitoring the situation.
McLellan, recalling the previous storms that hit her community, expressed a mix of uncertainty and anxiety. However, she acknowledged the improved preparedness and communication efforts by authorities this time around, noting proactive steps taken to mitigate risks and ensure public safety.
