Hurricane Lala weakened to a tropical storm on Sunday as it bypassed Hawaii without making landfall. Despite this, the storm brought strong winds and heavy rainfall, with some areas receiving nearly one meter of rain, leading to flash floods that swept away homes in Na’alehu and Wai’ohinu. A search-and-rescue operation involving Civil Defence, the National Guard, and a coast guard helicopter was initiated to assist affected residents.
Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda described the situation as challenging due to rushing water, debris, and darkness, making rescue efforts difficult. Tragically, one person lost their life in a vehicle accident in the South Point area of the Big Island.
Honolulu faced the brunt of the storm with reports of downed trees, blown roofs, and power outages. Over 200,000 homes and businesses were without power, mainly on the Big Island. Hospitals operated on generator power, and the storm’s impact was felt across the state.
The storm continued to pose threats of heavy rain, mudslides, downed trees, and flooding, prompting officials to caution residents to stay indoors until conditions improve. Tropical storm warnings were issued for several islands, with Lanai, Moloka’i, and Oahu experiencing the heaviest rainfall and strongest winds.
While Lala was centered west of Honolulu, forecasters predicted little change in its intensity through Monday. The storm was moving at a speed of about 28 km/h and was expected to potentially regain hurricane strength later in the week. The region’s mountainous areas received significant rainfall, raising concerns about landslides and flooding in vulnerable communities.
The impact of the storm was severe, with reports of significant damage to properties and infrastructure. Residents were advised to take precautions and stay informed about the evolving weather conditions. Despite the challenges, the state’s preparation and response efforts were noted to be more organized compared to previous events, offering some reassurance to residents as they weathered the storm.