Tropical Storm Lala Batters Hawaii: 100 Homes Destroyed
Tropical storm warnings remain in effect for most islands, with the Big Island hardest hit where 70% of the area is without power.
Tropical storm warnings remain in effect for most islands, with the Big Island hardest hit where 70% of the area is without power.
Tropical Storm Lala, which briefly reached Category 1 hurricane strength on Saturday before weakening, has left behind destroyed homes, flooded roads, and tens of thousands without power across Hawaii. Governor Josh Green confirmed on Sunday that at least 100 homes have been damaged or destroyed, while the connection of two deaths to the storm is being investigated.
According to CNN, more than 200,000 customers across the islands lost power, with 70% of the Big Island in darkness. Reuters reported 130,000 customers without power on Sunday morning, while Klix.ba cited a figure of 184,000. The varying estimates suggest they reflect different points in time during the storm's passage.
Storm Lala made its closest approach to the Big Island on Saturday around 5 p.m. local time, passing about 30 miles south of the island, according to the National Hurricane Center. Over 30 inches of rain fell on the Big Island, causing flash flooding, landslides, and road collapses. The collapse of a key highway has left approximately 2,500 residents completely cut off from the rest of the island.
Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda stated overnight that "several occupied homes may have been swept off their foundations," prompting search and rescue operations by civil defense. "You have to take all necessary precautions, right? That means batteries. Prepare your emergency kits, notify your neighbors, kupuna (elders). Make sure everyone is safe because our island is big, and communities are small and tightly connected," Alameda said earlier in the day.
Tropical storm warnings remain in effect for Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Lanai, Molokai, and Kahoolawe, with Honolulu under a flash flood watch. The National Hurricane Center warned of life-threatening flooding and landslides, especially on steep terrain. Parts of Kauai could see up to 6 inches of additional rain, and waves could reach heights of 8 to 12 feet, particularly along eastern shores.
Kauai Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami urged residents to exercise caution: "We also need our community to do their part by securing property, checking emergency supplies, staying informed, and avoiding unnecessary travel and outdoor activities as conditions deteriorate." On Oahu, eight hurricane shelters have been opened, with about 130 people seeking refuge on Saturday.
Tropical storms of this intensity are rare in Hawaii, but Lala maintained its strength due to a marine heatwave extending to California and the influence of a developing Super El Niño. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has forecast an above-average season in the central Pacific, with 5 to 13 cyclones expected.
The last tropical system to make landfall in Hawaii was Tropical Storm Olivia in 2018 on Maui, the first landfall on that island since record-keeping began in the 1950s. The last hurricane to hit land was Category 4 Iniki in 1992 on Kauai. Emergency services expect to be busy with response efforts for 36 hours, with damage assessments expected to begin on Monday.
