Hurricane Lala weakened to a tropical storm on Sunday as it bypassed Hawaii without making landfall. Despite this, the storm unleashed strong winds and heavy rain, causing nearly a meter of rainfall in some areas and triggering flash floods that swept away several homes in Na’alehu and Wai’ohinu near the Big Island’s southern tip.
A search-and-rescue operation involving Civil Defence, the National Guard, and a coast guard helicopter was initiated to assist in the aftermath of the flash floods. Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda described the challenging conditions, including rushing water, debris, and darkness.
Tragically, one fatality was reported in a vehicle accident in the South Point region of the Big Island. Honolulu experienced the worst of the storm on Sunday morning, with the Honolulu Fire Department responding to numerous incidents, such as downed trees, blown roofs, and power line issues.
The state remained under a flash flood warning, although the U.S. National Hurricane Center downgraded the Big Island to a flood advisory. Weather service meteorologist Stephen Parker highlighted the threats of heavy rain, mudslides, downed trees, and flooding.
Approximately 200,000 residences and businesses were without power, with the majority on the Big Island. Several hospitals were operating on generator power due to the outages. The storm’s impact was felt along the coast of the Big Island, with powerful waves and relentless rainfall causing concern.
Tropical storm warnings were in place for various islands, with Lanai, Molokai, and Oahu experiencing the heaviest rain and strongest winds. As of the latest advisory, Lala was positioned west of Honolulu with sustained winds of 100 km/h.
Forecasters projected little change in the storm’s intensity through Monday, with the possibility of Lala strengthening back into a hurricane later in the week. The Big Island, particularly areas near Mauna Kea, received significant rainfall, raising concerns about potential mudslides.
As the storm approached, safety measures were implemented, including shelter openings and advisories for ranchers. The Punalu’u Bake Shop in Naalehu suffered severe damage, with reports of catastrophic impacts. Residents like Kate McLellan on Oahu’s North Shore remained vigilant and prepared for the storm’s full impact.
McLellan praised the state’s improved communication and readiness compared to past experiences. She noted proactive measures taken by crews to mitigate risks, emphasizing the importance of community preparedness during severe weather events.