Tropical Storm Lala Drenches Hawaii, Knocks Out Power for Thousands
Tropical Storm Lala is lashing Hawaii with heavy rain and wind, leaving over 60,000 without power and prompting warnings for multiple islands.
Tropical Storm Lala, which weakened from hurricane status on Sunday, continues to impact the Hawaiian islands with drenching rain and powerful winds. The storm skirted the Big Island without making landfall but has not relented in its assault, with forecasters predicting nearly three feet of rain on higher windward slopes, raising the threat of mudslides and flash floods.
As of early Sunday, the storm was centered about 105 miles west-northwest of Kailua-Kona and 100 miles south of Honolulu. It was packing maximum sustained winds of 70 mph and moving northwest at 15 mph. Tropical storm warnings are in effect for Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Oahu, Kauai, and Niihau. The National Hurricane Center cautioned that wind speeds on mountain peaks and slopes could be up to 30% stronger than surface measurements.
The storm has already left a significant mark on the Big Island. Governor Josh Green reported that over 60,000 households are without power, and three hospitals have switched to generator power. At least one person died in a car accident in the South Point area, and 19 roofs were lost in the storm. Crews have responded to more than 30 impacted road sites.
Residents are bracing for continued hardship. Bobby Camara, a lifelong resident, plans to "hunker down" at a care home near Hilo, noting that stocking up is a way of life. Mike Caputo, a fire captain in Keaau, is prepared with a generator and a full water tank, but worries about flash flooding and falling albizia trees, which are known to be weak and can block roads. Christine Matsuda in Waimea described "big gusts every few minutes" that rattle her house and cause unexpected leaks.
The storm is expected to regain hurricane strength midweek as it moves south of the other islands. Forecasters predict 8 to 12 inches of rain for Maui and lower elevations of the Big Island, with 4 to 6 inches expected across the rest of the chain. The full impact of the storm, including the potential for wildfires from strong winds, is still unfolding.