Hurricane Lala battered Hawaii with torrential rain and powerful winds, knocking power out of 89,000 homes and claiming at least one life. Hawaii Governor Josh Green said the tropical storm got "closest to [Big Island's] South Point area", where a person died in a weather-related car accident in the South Point area.
Storm's Impact
Calling Lala an “enormous storm”, Green said that some areas have already received more than 13in (33cm) of rain. He added: "You definitely want to be home, do not be out on the roads." Green said that three hospitals had also lost power but had backup generators.
Officials warned locals and visitors to prepare for "life-threatening" conditions, including floods and mudslides, with people urged to shelter throughout the night. The hurricane has caused flash flooding and buildings to lose their roofs.
Travel Disruption
While Lala didn't make landfall on Big Island, the Category 1 hurricane caused nearly 20 buildings to lose their roofs as it moved past it. The horror storm also prompted travel disruption. According to Governor Green, 190 flights have been postponed.
At Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport, the Big Island’s largest airport, 40% of flights were cancelled, according to FlightAware. At the island’s other main airport, Hilo International, around 80% of flights were called off.
Water and Wind
In Maui, several residents have also been left without water. "Crews responded to the area but were unable to continue their assessment due to inclement weather and multiple downed trees," a county statement said, adding crews would return once it was safe.
Hurricane Lala had maximum sustained winds of 80 mph. Lala reached its closest to the Big Island at around 5pm local time on Saturday (3am BST on Sunday) when the National Hurricane Center said “its eyewall passed roughly 30 miles from the island’s southern portion”.
Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda said the island had experienced a record number of road closures and prolonged power outages. Bobby Camara, a 75-year-old lifelong resident who lives in a care home, said he planned to "hunker down, cross my fingers, hope the lights don't go out". "I think stocking up is part of life over here. ... You learn to be self-reliant", he added.
Forecast and Warnings
Hurricane Lala is forecast to weaken today as it eventually turns northwest away from the Big Island and proceeds west below the rest of the Hawaiian Islands, according to The State of Hawai‘i Department of Defense.
A hurricane warning is in effect for Big Island while Maui County, Oʻahu and Kauaʻi County all remain under a Tropical Storm Warning and are likely to experience damaging winds and heavy rainfall with the potential for flash floods and landslides throughout today.
Residents should closely monitor official information from the National Weather Service, Central Pacific Hurricane Centre and the City and County of Honolulu and be prepared to act as conditions change.
