Hurricane Lala weakens to tropical storm after battering Hawaii with heavy rain, powerful winds, and flooding
Hurricane Lala weakened to a tropical storm Sunday after passing near Hawaii without making landfall, but the storm continued to batter the Big Island with powerful winds, torrential rain, and dangerous flooding.
The storm was expected to dump nearly 3 feet of rain across higher elevations on the Big Island, causing rivers and streams to rise rapidly and increasing the risk of mudslides. Tropical storm conditions were also spreading westward toward Maui, Oahu and Kauai.
Strong waves slammed into the Big Island's coastline as Lala moved slowly past the island. Fierce winds bent palm trees and sent rain across the landscape while runoff rushed through swollen waterways.
More than 130,000 customers across Hawaii's three largest islands were without electricity Sunday morning. At least three hospitals were relying on backup generators.
At least one person was killed in a vehicle crash in the South Point area of the Big Island, while 19 roofs were reported damaged or destroyed during the storm. Officials said crews had already responded to more than 30 locations affected by the weather.
Authorities also launched a search-and-rescue operation after flash flooding apparently pushed several occupied homes from their foundations in the coastal communities of Na'alehu and Wai'ohinu near the island's southern tip.
Emergency responders from Civil Defense, the National Guard and Coast Guard were involved in the operation. Officials said rushing water, debris, large rocks and darkness were making the search particularly dangerous.
Tropical storm warnings remained in effect for Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Oahu, Kauai and Niihau as Lala moved westward. Officials warned that the storm could bring destructive flooding and strong winds capable of sparking or spreading wildfires.
Early Sunday, Lala was located about 105 miles west-northwest of Kailua-Kona and roughly 100 miles south of Honolulu. Tropical-storm-force winds extended as far as 175 miles from the center.
The storm had maximum sustained winds of about 70 mph and was moving northwest at approximately 15 mph. Forecasters expected Lala to strengthen back into a hurricane by midweek after moving well west of Hawaii.
Higher elevations on the Big Island, including areas near Mauna Kea, could receive as much as 35 inches of rain by the time the storm moves away. The rainfall could destabilize steep terrain, particularly in remote areas where some residents live in off-grid or improvised housing.
Communities across Hawaii prepared for the storm by opening shelters and canceling events. Ranchers were advised to leave cattle in open pastures rather than risk having them trapped inside structures that could collapse.
Residents who were still recovering from severe flooding in March took additional precautions.
Near Hilo, 75-year-old Bobby Camara planned to remain indoors at a care home and wait out the storm. He said gas stations were crowded as residents stocked up on fuel for vehicles and chainsaws.
In Keaau, resident and local fire captain Mike Caputo said his generator was ready and his 10,000-gallon water tank was full. He was particularly concerned about flash flooding and falling trees, including large albizia trees known for having weak structures.
On the northern side of the Big Island, Waimea resident Christine Matsuda said strong gusts were repeatedly shaking her home and causing leaks in places that normally remain dry.
Forecasters expected 8 to 12 inches of rain across Maui and lower elevations of the Big Island, with 4 to 6 inches possible across much of the island chain.
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