Hurricane Lala is on a direct path towards Hawaii’s Big Island, potentially marking the first hurricane landfall on the island in over 155 years. The National Hurricane Center reported that Lala strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds reaching 120 km/h. The eye of the storm is expected to pass over or near the southern tip of the island by evening, bringing heavy winds to the volcanic slopes at high elevations.
Forecasters warned that the island, particularly areas around the towering Mauna Kea volcano, could receive up to 63.5 centimeters of rainfall, posing a significant risk of life-threatening mudslides. Residents in mountainous regions, where makeshift housing is common, were advised to seek safe shelter promptly.
Local resident Bobby Camara, 75, expressed his plans to weather the storm at a care home near Hilo, emphasizing the importance of stocking up on essentials and being self-reliant in such situations. Hawaii Governor Josh Green described the storm as “enormous” and cautioned about potential flooding and wildfires triggered by strong winds across the island chain.
Power outages affected 10% of customers on the Big Island, with concerns about flash flooding and fallen trees, including the vulnerable albizia species. The island was under a hurricane warning, while tropical storm warnings were issued for various other Hawaiian islands.
Despite the last direct hit from a hurricane occurring over a century ago, the latest forecasts indicated a high likelihood of Lala making landfall very close to the southern end of the Big Island. Shelters were opened, events were canceled, and ranchers were advised to leave cattle in pastures to prevent structural collapses.
Officials stressed the seriousness of the storm, especially for remote and rural areas like the southern end of the island, where agricultural activities are prevalent. With memories of recent floods still fresh, residents were urged to take necessary precautions and seek safer accommodations if their homes were not adequately prepared for hurricane-force winds.
As the storm approached, concerns about potential wildfires were raised due to dry and breezy conditions outside the storm’s immediate path. The history of extreme weather events, such as the 2023 wildfire in Lahaina during hurricane-related winds, underscored the need for heightened awareness and preparedness among residents.
Reflecting on past disasters, including the devastating impact of Hurricane Iniki in 1992, which caused billions of dollars in damages and loss of life on Kauai, experts emphasized the unpredictable nature of storms and the importance of staying vigilant and informed during such weather events.