Hurricane Lala targeted Hawaii’s Big Island over the weekend, potentially making history as the first direct hit in 155 years. The National Hurricane Center reported Lala as a Category 1 hurricane with sustained winds reaching 120 km/h. The storm’s eye was expected to pass near the island’s southern tip, bringing strong winds to the volcanic slopes.
Forecasts indicated the possibility of up to 63.5 centimeters of rainfall in higher elevations, posing a threat of life-threatening mudslides in remote mountainous areas. Residents were advised to seek safe shelter promptly. Bobby Camara, a longtime Big Island resident, expressed readiness for the storm, emphasizing the importance of self-reliance in stocking up on supplies.
Governor Josh Green warned of potential destructive flooding and wildfires due to the storm’s impact on the island chain. Power outages affected a portion of Big Island residents. Mike Caputo, a local fire captain, highlighted concerns about flash flooding and fallen trees, particularly the large albizia trees that could block roads.
Hurricane warnings were in place for the Big Island, with tropical storm warnings issued for other islands. The last hurricane to hit the Big Island directly was in 1871. Shelters were opened, events canceled, and ranchers advised to leave cattle in open pastures. Forecasters predicted significant rainfall across the islands.
Officials urged residents to take the storm seriously, especially in remote rural areas. Concerns were raised for off-the-grid residents and those living in vulnerable structures. The potential for wildfires due to windy conditions outside the storm was also highlighted.
The history of Hurricane Iniki landing on Kauai in 1992 was mentioned as a reminder of the destructive potential of such storms. The impact of El Niño on hurricane activity and weather patterns was noted as a factor in this year’s forecast.
