Hurricane Lala weakened to a tropical storm on Sunday as it bypassed Hawaii without making landfall. Despite this, the storm unleashed powerful winds and heavy rainfall, with some areas experiencing nearly one meter of rain and dangerous flooding.
Search and rescue efforts were initiated by Civil Defence, the National Guard, and a coast guard helicopter following reports of flash floods that swept several homes off their foundations in Na’alehu and Wai’ohinu, near the southern tip of the Big Island.
Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda highlighted the challenges faced during the rescue mission, including rushing water, debris, and darkness. Tragically, one fatality was reported in a vehicle accident in the South Point area.
Honolulu faced the brunt of the storm on Sunday morning, with the Fire Department responding to numerous weather-related incidents, such as downed trees, blown roofs, and power line disruptions. The city also reported a swimmer rescue operation.
Despite Hurricane Lala being downgraded to a flood advisory on the Big Island, the state remained under a flash flood warning. Meteorologist Stephen Parker warned of heavy rain, mudslides, downed trees, flooding, and power outages as the primary threats.
Over 200,000 homes and businesses were without power, with the Big Island being the most affected. Hospitals operated on generator power, and powerful waves battered the coastlines. The storm’s impact was intensified by its close proximity to the islands.
Tropical storm warnings were issued for multiple islands, with the potential for destructive flooding and wildfires due to strong winds on the drier sides. The storm’s center was located west of Honolulu with sustained winds of 100 km/h, moving west-northwest.
Forecasters predicted little change in the storm’s intensity through Monday, with the possibility of Lala regaining hurricane status later in the week. The Big Island received significant rainfall, posing risks of landslides in high-altitude areas.
Residents took precautionary measures, with shelters opened and events canceled. Businesses and individuals braced for potential damages, with some still recovering from previous natural disasters. The community came together to prepare and support each other during the challenging weather conditions.
