Hurricane Lala was downgraded to a tropical storm on Sunday, sparing Hawaii from a direct landfall but still unleashing powerful winds and heavy rainfall. The storm caused havoc across the state, with some areas receiving nearly one meter of rain and flash floods sweeping away homes in Na’alehu and Wai’ohinu.
Authorities initiated a search-and-rescue operation involving Civil Defence, the National Guard, and a coast guard helicopter to assist those affected by the floods. Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda highlighted the challenges posed by rushing water, debris, and darkness in the affected areas.
Tragically, one person lost their life in a vehicle accident in the South Point region of the Big Island. Honolulu faced the brunt of the storm on Sunday morning, with the Fire Department responding to numerous weather-related incidents, including downed trees, roofs, power lines, and a swimmer rescue.
A significant portion of the state remained under a flash flood warning, although the U.S. National Hurricane Center downgraded the Big Island to a flood advisory on Sunday. Meteorologist Stephen Parker warned of heavy rain, mudslides, downed trees, and active flooding as the primary threats.
Over 200,000 homes and businesses were left without power, particularly on the Big Island, where almost two-thirds of customers were affected. The storm churned powerful waves along the coastlines, exacerbating the already precarious situation. Tropical storm warnings were extended to several other islands, raising concerns about potential flooding and wildfires due to strong winds.
Despite weakening slightly, Lala maintained sustained winds of 100 km/h as it moved west-northwest away from Honolulu. Forecasters predicted minimal changes in intensity over the next few days and suggested the storm could regain hurricane strength later in the week.
The aftermath of the hurricane left a trail of destruction, with reports of severe damage to properties, including the popular Punalu’u Bake Shop in Naalehu. Residents across the islands remained on alert, recalling the devastating floods from earlier in the year and preparing for the worst as the storm passed through.