Hurricane Lala weakened to a tropical storm on Sunday after skirting Hawaii without making landfall. Despite this, the storm continued to bring strong winds and heavy rainfall, accumulating nearly one meter of rain in certain areas and causing torrents to flow down mountain slopes.
Following flash floods that reportedly swept several homes off their foundations in Na’alehu and Wai’ohinu near the southern tip of the Big Island, a search-and-rescue operation involving Civil Defence, the National Guard, and a coast guard helicopter was initiated.
Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda described the challenging conditions due to rushing water, debris, and darkness. Tragically, one person lost their life in a vehicle accident in the South Point area of the Big Island.
Honolulu experienced severe weather conditions with numerous incidents reported by the Honolulu Fire Department, including downed trees, blown roofs, and power lines, as well as one swimmer rescue. A significant portion of the state remained under a flash flood warning, with the Big Island downgraded to a flood advisory.
Over 200,000 homes and businesses were without power, with the Big Island being the most affected. Three hospitals were operating on generator power due to the outages. The storm’s impact was felt along the coast, with powerful waves hitting the shoreline as Lala bypassed the islands.
Tropical storm warnings were in place for several islands, raising concerns about potential flooding and wildfires triggered by strong winds. Lala maintained sustained winds of 100 km/h and was moving west-northwest at 28 km/h, with forecasters predicting little change in intensity through Monday.
Parts of the Big Island experienced significant rainfall, reaching up to 89 centimeters in some higher-altitude areas. As the storm approached, precautions were taken, including opening shelters and advising ranchers to secure their livestock in safe locations.
The Punalu’u Bake Shop in Naalehu suffered severe damage, with one meter of mud left behind after water rushed through the premises. Residents across the islands were on high alert, monitoring the storm’s progress closely and preparing for the worst.
Despite the challenges posed by the storm, residents like Kate McLellan acknowledged the state’s improved preparation and communication efforts compared to previous incidents. The community remained vigilant, recalling the impact of past storms and staying cautious in the face of ongoing weather threats.