Hurricane Lala Nears Big Island, Threatening First Direct Hit in 155 Years

Hurricane Lala is closing in on Hawaii's Big Island, bringing with it the threat of the first direct hurricane hit the island has seen in 155 years. The storm, which has strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 kph), is forecast to move over or near the island's southern end by evening.

Residents are already feeling the storm's effects. Video from Keaau, on the island's east coast, shows trees and shrubs bending under gusty winds. Governor Josh Green has urged people to shelter in place, noting rainfall rates of 2 inches (5 centimeters) per hour.

Forecasters warn that higher elevations, particularly around the towering Mauna Kea volcano, could receive up to 25 inches (63.5 centimeters) of rain. This raises the risk of life-threatening mudslides in mountainous areas where some residents live off the grid in improvised housing.

The governor has described the storm as "enormous," capable of causing destructive flooding and even sparking wildfires from strong winds across the island chain. Power outages have already affected nearly 20% of customers on the Big Island, according to poweroutage.us.

The Big Island, home to a population of 210,000, is Hawaii's largest island and is bracing for the storm's full impact.