Hawaii braces for potential first direct hit by a hurricane in 34 years
In a worst-case scenario, category one Lala could dump up to 25in (63cm) of rain on Big Island.
Hawaii is bracing for what could be its first direct hurricane impact in 34 years as the Category 1 storm Lala approaches its coast.
Lala, which achieved hurricane status on Saturday with winds of 75 mph (120 km/h), could potentially unleash up to 25 inches (63 cm) of rain on Big Island and generate a 3-foot storm surge in a worst-case scenario.
A hurricane warning has been issued for Big Island, while Maui County, Oahu, Kauai, and Niihau are under tropical storm warnings. Authorities have advised residents to prepare for "life-threatening" conditions, including potential floods and mudslides.
The storm is projected to either make landfall or pass very close to the southern tip of Big Island on Saturday before continuing its westward trajectory. The Associated Press reports that the last hurricane to make landfall on Hawaii's Big Island was 155 years ago.
Over the weekend, Lala is expected to continue moving west and may weaken into a tropical storm, with its center passing just south of Hawaii's other islands.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green cautioned residents to prepare for "an incredible amount of water." He posted on X: "Damaging winds, heavy rain, flash flooding and dangerous surf are possible across the state through the weekend."
Numerous flights have been canceled. At Ellison Onizuka Kona International, Big Island's largest airport, 40% of flights were grounded, according to flightaware.com. Hilo International, the island's other main airport, saw approximately 80% of its flights called off.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued its most severe forecasts for areas within Big Island's southeast. The NWS stated that "Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues," and warned that rivers and tributaries "may rapidly overflow their banks in multiple places."
Officials repeatedly urged residents to complete their storm preparations early. Local Facebook message boards showed residents filling sandbags to protect their homes and inquiring about store operating hours in the early hours of Saturday.
Hawaii County's Civil Defense Agency confirmed that public shelters are available in every county on Big Island. The agency posted on X: "At this time, you should have completed your storm-ready preparations and focusing on your Sheltering Plan."
The last hurricane to strike Hawaii was Iniki, a powerful Category 4 storm, in 1992. It caused six fatalities and $3 billion in damages after making landfall on Kauai's southern coast.