Hurricane Lala weakened to a tropical storm on Sunday after skirting Hawaii without making landfall. Despite this, it brought strong winds and heavy rain, causing nearly one meter of rainfall in some areas and triggering flash floods that swept away homes. A search-and-rescue operation involving Civil Defence, the National Guard, and a coast guard helicopter was launched in response to the devastation in Na’alehu and Wai’ohinu coastal communities.
Authorities faced challenges due to rushing water, debris, and boulders on the roads, making rescue efforts difficult. Tragically, one person died in a vehicle accident in the South Point area of the Big Island. Honolulu experienced severe weather conditions, with the fire department responding to numerous incidents, including downed trees, roofs, and power lines, as well as a swimmer rescue.
Although a flash flood warning remained in effect, the U.S. National Hurricane Center downgraded the Big Island to a flood advisory. The main threats included heavy rain, mudslides, fallen trees, flooding, and power outages. Residents were advised to stay home until the weather conditions improved.
By mid-morning, over 200,000 properties were without power, with most outages occurring on the Big Island. The storm continued to impact the coast with powerful waves and heavy rainfall, causing concerns about potential flooding and wildfires. The tropical storm warnings extended to several islands in the region.
As of the latest update, Lala was located west of Honolulu with sustained winds of 100 km/h. The storm was moving at a steady pace, and forecasters predicted it could regain hurricane strength in the coming days. Areas like Mauna Kea experienced significant rainfall, posing risks of landslides and flooding in mountainous regions.
Precautionary measures, such as opening shelters and advising ranchers to secure livestock, were taken as the storm approached. Severe damage was reported, including the destruction of the Punalu’u Bake Shop in Naalehu. Residents, like Kate McLellan on Oahu’s North Shore, were on high alert, recalling the recent storms that impacted their community.
Despite the challenges, the state’s preparation and response efforts were commended for their effectiveness in mitigating the storm’s impact. Residents remained vigilant and cooperative, following safety guidelines and monitoring updates from meteorological authorities.