Tropical storm Lala has already begun impacting Hawaii’s Big Island with strong winds and heavy rainfall, potentially intensifying into a hurricane or bringing hurricane-level winds as it nears landfall. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) issued a rare hurricane warning for the island, marking the first direct hurricane landfall threat in 155 years.
Forecasts project up to 635 millimetres of rain in higher elevations, posing a significant risk of life-threatening mudslides in mountainous areas where residents live in makeshift homes off the grid. Governor Josh Green described the storm as massive, with tropical storm force winds extending up to 350 kilometres outward and expected to reach Oahu and Kauai by Sunday morning.
The potential impacts of the storm include destructive flooding and wildfires fueled by strong winds. A hurricane warning was in place for the Big Island, while a tropical storm warning covered Maui County, Oahu, and Kauai County. Even if Lala falls short of becoming a hurricane upon landfall, the NHC warned of heightened wind speeds in mountainous regions, potentially reaching near-hurricane force levels.
Historical data from a University of Hawaii scientist indicated a Category 3 hurricane hit the northeast corner of the island in 1871. Current projections suggest Lala will strike very close to the southern tip of the Big Island. Officials and residents are preparing for the storm’s impacts, with shelters opening and events being canceled to ensure safety.
The NHC forecasted rainfall totals ranging from 203 to 305 millimetres across Maui and lower elevations of the Big Island, with 102 to 152 millimetres expected across the entire island chain. The storm’s potential hazards include life-threatening flooding, mudslides, storm surges, and dangerous ocean conditions.
At the latest update, tropical storm Lala was located about 175 kilometres southeast of South Point, Hawaii, with sustained winds of 100 km/h, moving west-northwest at 20 km/h. State Representative Jeanné Kapela emphasized the importance of taking the storm seriously, especially for residents in rural areas susceptible to heavy rain and flooding.
The ongoing recovery from previous flooding events in Hawaii has heightened concerns, with farmers and residents wary of further damage. Dry and breezy conditions accompanying the storm raise wildfire risks, as seen in Lahaina’s 2023 wildfire incident during extreme winds. The potential impacts of Lala are being closely monitored, with memories of past hurricane events like Iniki in 1992 on Kauai serving as a reminder of the region’s vulnerability during severe weather conditions.