Hurricane Lala downgraded to a tropical storm on Sunday as it bypassed Hawaii without making landfall. Despite this, the storm unleashed strong winds and heavy rainfall, with some areas experiencing almost a meter of rain, leading to dangerous flash floods. Search-and-rescue operations were initiated after several homes were swept off their foundations in Na’alehu and Wai’ohinu. Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda described the challenging conditions due to rushing water, debris, and darkness.
Tragically, one person lost their life in a vehicle accident in the South Point area of the Big Island. Honolulu faced severe weather conditions with numerous incidents reported, including downed trees, roofs, power lines, and one swimmer rescue. A significant number of homes and businesses, totaling over 200,000, were without power, with hospitals operating on generator power.
Although Lala skirted the islands, it caused powerful waves and heavy rainfall, leading to flash flood warnings across the state. The storm’s impact was felt across various islands, with Lanai, Moloka’i, and Oahu experiencing the heaviest rain and strongest winds. Lala was positioned west of Honolulu with sustained winds of 100 km/h, moving at approximately 28 km/h, as of the latest update.
Forecasters predict minimal change in the storm’s intensity through Monday, with the possibility of Lala regaining hurricane strength later in the week. The Big Island, particularly high-altitude regions, faced significant rainfall, raising concerns about mudslides and flooding. Residents took precautions, with shelters opened and cattle left in pastures to mitigate structural damage risks.
The Punalu’u Bake Shop in Naalehu suffered severe damage, and residents like Kate McLellan on Oahu’s North Shore braced for the storm’s impact. McLellan highlighted the community’s heightened anxiety due to previous storm experiences and praised the state’s improved storm preparedness measures.
The state continues to monitor the situation closely, emphasizing safety measures and urging residents to stay vigilant until the storm passes.