Hurricane Lala was downgraded to a tropical storm on Sunday after skirting Hawaii without making landfall. Despite this, the storm brought strong gusts and heavy rainfall, accumulating nearly one meter in some areas and causing torrents of water to flow down mountain slopes.
Following flash floods that swept several occupied homes off their foundations in Na’alehu and Wai’ohinu, a search-and-rescue mission involving Civil Defence, the National Guard, and a coast guard helicopter was initiated. Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda emphasized the challenges faced due to rushing water, debris, boulders on the roads, and darkness.
Tragically, one fatality occurred in a vehicle accident in the Big Island’s South Point area, as confirmed by Gov. Josh Green. Honolulu experienced severe weather conditions on Sunday morning, with the Honolulu Fire Department responding to numerous incidents, including downed trees, blown roofs, and power line issues.
The state remained under a flash flood warning, with the Big Island being downgraded to a flood advisory by the U.S. National Hurricane Center. Heavy rain, mudslides, downed trees, flooding, and power outages were highlighted as significant threats by meteorologist Stephen Parker.
Over 200,000 homes and businesses were without power, with a majority on the Big Island affected. The storm’s impact was felt along the coast, with powerful waves hitting the shoreline and causing significant damage. Tropical storm warnings were in place for several islands, with the potential for destructive flooding and wildfires due to strong winds.
As of the latest advisory, Lala was located west of Honolulu with sustained winds of 100 km/h, moving at a speed of approximately 28 km/h. The storm’s intensity was expected to remain relatively consistent through Monday, possibly re-intensifying into a hurricane later in the week.
Significant rainfall, reaching up to 89 centimeters in higher-altitude areas, posed risks to residents, especially those living in vulnerable housing structures. Precautionary measures were taken, including the opening of shelters and advisories for ranchers to secure their livestock properly.
Property damage was reported, including severe impacts on local businesses like the Punalu’u Bake Shop. Residents across the islands were urged to stay informed and prepared for potential challenges as the storm continued its path.