Hurricane Lala struck the Hawaiian island of Big Island, bringing destructive winds and heavy rainfall that left tens of thousands without electricity. According to the American National Hurricane Center (NHC), the storm hit the island late Sunday, causing widespread disruption. By early evening local time, more than 63,000 residents on Big Island were without power, with nearly 100,000 people across neighboring islands such as Maui and Oahu also affected, according to data from the U.S.-based website Poweroutage.us. Local media reported fallen trees, closed roads, and severe flooding on the island, which has a population of around 200,000. The situation became particularly dire late Saturday night when the National Weather Service (NWS) declared a state of emergency due to sudden floods in parts of southern Big Island. Police reported that the storm surge had swept away several homes, while the weather service warned of life-threatening flood conditions. The center of the Category 1 hurricane passed approximately 90 kilometers south of the island, moving westward, according to the NHC. Strong wind gusts and heavy rainfall were expected to continue into the night on Big Island. Heavy rains and flooding were also a concern for other islands in the U.S. state of Hawaii, including Maui, Oahu, Kauai, and Niihau, despite their greater distance from the storm's core. The NHC predicted total rainfall of 30 to 50 centimeters on the windward side of Big Island during the storm, though some measuring stations had already exceeded these amounts. In Laupahoehoe, nearly 65 centimeters of rain was recorded within 36 hours. The risk of flooding, landslides, and dangerous waves remained high, prompting authorities to urge residents to stay in safe shelters. Meanwhile, torrential rains caused by Tropical Storm Lala led to fatalities in Venezuela. Venezuelan authorities announced on Sunday that three people, including two teenagers, had died after vehicles were swept away by floods in Caracas following heavy rainfall over the weekend. The tropical downpour hit northern Venezuela overnight, according to the national meteorological service Inameh. Fire chief Pablo Antonio Palacios Salazar of Caracas stated on Telegram that two minors were carried away by the current. A woman in her 40s also died when a wall collapsed. At least 30 houses were flooded in the eastern city of Sucre. The heavy rains that fell since late Saturday afternoon brought down trees and destroyed tents used by people who had been displaced after devastating earthquakes on June 24. In Caracas, the impact of the storms was compounded by the aftermath of recent seismic activity, leaving many without shelter. Trees fell and destroyed tents where people slept, adding to the chaos caused by the floods. Emergency services worked tirelessly to rescue those trapped in rising waters, while communities struggled to cope with the dual threats of flooding and lack of basic infrastructure. The situation highlighted the vulnerability of areas prone to both natural disasters and inadequate disaster preparedness. Authorities in Venezuela urged residents to remain vigilant and follow safety guidelines issued by local officials. The National Meteorological Service continued to monitor the weather patterns and issued regular updates on potential further developments. Meanwhile, in Hawaii, emergency management teams coordinated efforts to restore power and assist those affected by the hurricane’s passage. The focus shifted toward recovery operations as the immediate danger from the storm subsided, although the long-term effects of the flooding and damage would require extensive resources and planning. As the storm moved farther west, its influence on the region began to wane, but the human toll and environmental damage remained evident. In both Hawaii and Venezuela, the events underscored the unpredictable nature of extreme weather and the need for robust contingency plans to mitigate future risks. Residents and officials alike faced the challenge of rebuilding and adapting to the realities of increasingly frequent and intense natural disasters.
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