Hurricane Lala weakened to a tropical storm on Sunday, sparing Hawaii from a direct hit but still causing havoc with powerful gusts and heavy rainfall. Flash floods swept through coastal communities, leading to a search-and-rescue operation involving Civil Defence, the National Guard, and a coast guard helicopter.
Authorities reported that rushing water, debris, and boulders hampered rescue efforts in the dark. Tragically, one person died in a vehicle accident in the South Point area of the Big Island. Honolulu faced tropical storm conditions with numerous weather-related incidents, including downed trees, roofs, power lines, and arcing wires, as well as a swimmer rescue operation.
While a flash flood warning remained in effect for much of the state, the Big Island was downgraded to a flood advisory by the U.S. National Hurricane Center. The main threats included heavy rain, mudslides, fallen trees, flooding, and power outages. Residents were advised to stay indoors until the storm passed and cleanup operations were completed.
Over 200,000 homes and businesses were left without power, with the Big Island being the hardest hit. Hospitals operated on generator power, and powerful waves battered the coastline. Tropical storm warnings were issued for multiple islands, with concerns about potential flooding and wildfires due to strong winds.
As of the latest update, Lala was situated west of Honolulu with sustained winds of 100 km/h. Forecasters predicted little change in intensity until Monday, with the possibility of Lala regaining hurricane strength later in the week. The storm brought significant rainfall to higher-altitude areas, posing risks of landslides and flooding.
The Punalu’u Bake Shop in Naalehu suffered severe damage, with water and mud inundating the premises. Residents like Kate McLellan on Oahu’s North Shore braced for the storm’s impact, recalling past disasters and emphasizing the importance of preparedness and community resilience.