Tropical Storm Lala rakes Hawaii with high winds and rain without making landfall

Tropical Storm Lala battered Hawaii with high winds and torrential rain, causing widespread damage across the islands without making direct landfall. The storm, which reached its peak intensity before weakening to a tropical storm, swept through the region with powerful gusts and heavy rainfall, displacing around 100 homes from their foundations on the Big Island. Governor Josh Green confirmed that no fatalities were reported among the displaced residences, though a search-and-rescue operation was initiated in the coastal areas of Na’alehu and Wai’ohinu near the southern tip of the Big Island. The storm’s impact was felt across multiple islands, with Honolulu on Oahu experiencing the most severe conditions. Strong gusts and relentless rain pushed the storm westward along the island chain, prompting the Honolulu Fire Department to respond to over 600 weather-related incidents by noon local time. Among these calls, 147 reports detailed fallen trees, alongside instances of roofs being torn off, power lines downed, and one individual needing rescue from water. The city issued statements confirming these developments, emphasizing the ongoing challenges posed by the storm. Local community organizers, such as Cynthia Channels, who assists unhoused individuals and families in need, described the wind as the most damaging aspect of the storm. She noted that many residents faced the risk of losing their roof coverings, with shingles being dislodged due to the force of the winds. The situation was compounded by the fact that much of the state remained under a flash flood warning, although the National Hurricane Center adjusted the alert level on the Big Island to a flood advisory later Sunday. The storm’s trajectory brought additional concerns, particularly regarding the potential for destructive flooding. Tropical storm warnings were active for the islands of Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Oahu, Kauai, and Niihau. These alerts raised the likelihood of significant damage, especially given the recent history of extreme weather events in the region. The heaviest rainfall was recorded on Lanai, Moloka’i, and Oahu, while the highest wind speeds were measured at Mauna Kea on the Big Island, reaching approximately 161 kilometers per hour. As of 11 a.m., Lala was located about 220 kilometers west of Honolulu, with sustained winds of 100 kilometers per hour, according to the US National Hurricane Center. The storm was moving west-northwest at a speed of roughly 28 kilometers per hour. Forecasters anticipated minimal changes in the storm’s strength through Monday, with the possibility of Lala intensifying into a hurricane again during the upcoming week as it moves further west of the island chain. The storm’s effects extended beyond immediate physical damage, impacting infrastructure and daily life. Over 200,000 homes and businesses were without power by midday, with nearly two-thirds of customers on the Big Island affected. At least three hospitals operated using backup generators, highlighting the disruption to essential services. Damage to roads and several small bridges created logistical challenges, limiting access to certain areas. Despite these hardships, Governor Green reassured the public that everyone was safe and healthy, acknowledging the substantial amount of work required to recover from the storm’s impact. In higher-altitude regions of the Big Island, particularly around Mauna Kea, rainfall exceeded 89 centimeters, posing risks to residents living off-grid in makeshift dwellings. This level of precipitation can destabilize steep slopes, increasing the danger for those residing in vulnerable locations. As the storm passed, efforts to assess and mitigate damage continued, with residents still recovering from previous floods that occurred in March. Precautionary measures, such as opening shelters, canceling events, and advising ranchers to keep livestock in open pastures, were taken prior to the storm’s arrival, reflecting the preparedness of local authorities and communities.