Hurricane Lala hits Hawaii: Tens of thousands without power, tornadoes sweep away homes
Hurricane Lala struck the largest Hawaiian island, Big Island, bringing destructive winds and heavy rainfall. Over 63,000 residents on the island were left without electricity by Saturday evening, with nearly 100,000 people across the islands of Maui and Oahu also affected. Local media reported fallen trees, closed roads, and severe flooding. The National Weather Service declared a state of emergency due to sudden floods in parts of Big Island. Police reported that floodwaters had destroyed several homes, and the meteorological service warned of life-threatening conditions. The center of the Category 1 hurricane passed approximately 90 kilometers south of the island, moving westward. Torrential rains and flooding were expected on Big Island throughout the night. The National Hurricane Center predicted between 30 to 50 centimeters of rain on the windward side of the island during the storm, though some measurement stations already exceeded these amounts. The threat of flooding, landslides, and dangerous waves continues, with the National Hurricane Center urging residents to remain in safe shelters. Strong winds and heavy rain posed a danger to smaller islands within the U.S. state,
Hurricane Lala struck Hawaii, leaving tens of thousands without electricity and causing widespread destruction. The storm, which reached Category 1 status, passed just over 90 kilometers south of the island of Big Island, heading westward. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), the storm brought destructive winds and heavy rainfall to the largest Hawaiian island, leading to severe flooding, downed trees, closed roads, and significant damage. By Saturday evening local time, more than 63,000 residents on the island were without power, with nearly 100,000 including neighboring islands Maui and Oahu affected, according to data from the American website Poweroutage.us. The situation became particularly dire late Saturday night when the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a state of emergency due to unexpected flooding in parts of southern Big Island. Police reported that several homes were swept away, while the weather service warned of life-threatening flood conditions. The storm’s center, a Category 1 hurricane, moved past the island at a distance of approximately 48 kilometers, according to NHC data. Strong winds and heavy rains were expected to continue through the night on Big Island, with torrential rain and flooding reported in multiple areas. The threat extended beyond Big Island, with the NHC warning that other smaller Hawaiian islands such as Maui, Oahu, Kauai, and Niihau could also be impacted despite their greater distance from the storm's core. The agency predicted up to 30 to 50 centimeters of rainfall on the windward sides of Big Island during the storm, though some measuring stations had already recorded well above these amounts. In Laupahoehoe, nearly 65 centimeters of rain was recorded within 36 hours. The NHC emphasized ongoing dangers of flooding, landslides, and dangerous waves, urging residents to remain in safe shelters. In addition to the immediate danger posed by the storm, officials noted long-term concerns. Governor Josh Green stated that over 100 homes were damaged or destroyed, with some completely washed away. Civil defense authorities in the Hawaii County reported that several houses were carried off their foundations, and rescue teams worked alongside local services, the National Guard, and Coast Guard to conduct search and recovery operations. Emergency crews successfully rescued multiple individuals, including an elderly woman who was pulled from a tree after her home was flooded. Damage to infrastructure has been extensive, with sections of Highway Pāhala collapsing overnight into the sea, cutting off access to critical areas, including one of the few hospitals in the region. The collapse created new cliffs and damaged smaller bridges, further disrupting essential services. Electrical outages have continued, compounding the challenges faced by residents. Deborah Funai Brown, a lifelong resident of Pāhala, described the incident as “catastrophic,” noting that the area had previously felt isolated and forgotten, akin to being alone on an island. The impact of the storm has been felt across the archipelago, with reports of significant disruptions to daily life. While the official tropical storm warning has been lifted, the NHC maintains that the risk of flooding persists for counties including Kauai, Oahu, and Maui. Heavy rainfall continues, though it is becoming less frequent as the outer rain bands of the storm move over the islands. Residents are advised to remain vigilant, as the remnants of Hurricane Lala still pose serious threats, including flooded areas and downed electrical lines. As the storm moves westward, its legacy of destruction will likely shape the recovery efforts for weeks to come.
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