Hurricane Lala weakened to a tropical storm on Sunday as it passed by Hawaii without hitting land. Despite this, the storm brought strong winds and heavy rainfall, with some areas receiving nearly one meter of rain and experiencing flash floods.
Search and rescue efforts were initiated by Civil Defence, the National Guard, and a coast guard helicopter after flash floods swept away several homes 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 the worst of the storm on Sunday morning, with the Fire Department responding to numerous incidents, including downed trees, roofs, power lines, and a swimmer rescue.
Extensive flash flood warnings were in place across the state, although the Big Island was downgraded to a flood advisory on Sunday. The main threats included heavy rain, mudslides, fallen trees, flooding, and power outages. Meteorologist Stephen Parker advised residents to stay indoors until the storm subsided.
Over 200,000 homes and businesses were without power, with the majority on the Big Island. Several hospitals were operating on generator power. Strong waves hit the coast as Hurricane Lala passed by, narrowly avoiding a direct hit but still causing significant damage.
Tropical storm warnings were issued for multiple islands, with the potential for destructive flooding and wildfires due to strong winds. The heaviest rainfall was reported on Lanai, Moloka’i, and Oahu, while the strongest winds were recorded at Mauna Kea volcano.
As of the latest update, Lala was located approximately 220 kilometers west of Honolulu with sustained winds of 100 km/h. The storm was moving west-northwest at 28 km/h, with forecasters predicting little change in intensity through Monday.
Some areas on the Big Island received up to 89 centimeters of rain, posing risks of landslides. Shelters were opened, events canceled, and residents advised to take precautions. The Punalu’u Bake Shop in Naalehu suffered severe damage, with one meter of mud left behind.
Residents like Kate McLellan on Oahu’s North Shore remained vigilant as the storm approached, recalling the devastating storms from earlier in the year. McLellan noted improvements in the state’s preparedness and communication efforts during the storm, providing a sense of reassurance to the community.