Hurricane Lala weakened to a tropical storm on Sunday as it brushed past Hawaii without making landfall. The storm brought strong gusts and heavy rain, with some areas receiving nearly a meter of rainfall, causing flash floods and significant damage in coastal communities like Na’alehu and Wai’ohinu.
Search-and-rescue efforts involving Civil Defence, the National Guard, and a coast guard helicopter were initiated to assist residents whose homes were swept away in the flash floods. The challenging conditions, including rushing water, debris, and darkness, hampered rescue operations, according to Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda.
Tragically, one person lost their life in a vehicle accident in the South Point area 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, and power lines, as well as a swimmer rescue.
A large part of Hawaii remained under a flash flood warning, although the Big Island was downgraded to a flood advisory. The U.S. National Hurricane Center warned of threats such as heavy rain, mudslides, and downed power lines.
Over 200,000 homes and businesses were without power, with the majority on the Big Island. The storm’s impact was felt with powerful waves along the coast and high winds, causing concern for potential flooding and wildfires.
Tropical storm warnings were issued for several islands, with Lanai, Moloka’i, and Oahu experiencing the heaviest rainfall and strongest winds. Lala, currently a tropical storm, was located west of Honolulu with sustained winds of 100 km/h, moving towards the west-northwest.
The forecast suggests minimal change in the storm’s intensity until Monday, with a possibility of Lala regaining hurricane status by midweek. The challenging conditions prompted precautionary measures, including opening shelters and advising ranchers to secure their livestock.
The Punalu’u Bake Shop in Naalehu suffered severe damage, highlighting the catastrophic impact of the storm. Residents across the islands remained vigilant, preparing for potential disruptions and monitoring the storm’s progression closely.
