Tropical Storm Lala strengthened to near-hurricane intensity Saturday morning as its outer rainbands and damaging winds spread across Hawaii’s Big Island. At 8 a.m. HST, the National Hurricane Center placed Lala about 90 miles south-southeast of South Point with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph, just below the 74 mph threshold for hurricane strength. The storm was moving west at approximately 12 mph with a minimum central pressure of 990 millibars. Some additional strengthening remained possible as Lala approached the island, while forecasters warned that interaction with Hawaii’s terrain could cause erratic movement later Saturday. A hurricane warning remains in effect for Hawaii County.
The greatest immediate threats are damaging winds, torrential rainfall and rapidly deteriorating coastal conditions. Forecasters expect between 10 and 20 inches of rain across portions of the Big Island, with isolated totals reaching 25 inches, creating a significant risk of life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides. Storm surge could raise water levels between one and three feet above normally dry ground along vulnerable coastline if peak surge coincides with high tide. Large swells are also building along eastern and southern shores, producing dangerous surf, coastal erosion and rip currents. Tropical-storm-force winds were already affecting portions of the Big Island Saturday morning, with stronger winds possible across elevated terrain and exposed slopes.
Hawaii officials have moved into emergency operations as the storm approaches. Gov. Josh Green declared a statewide emergency Thursday, while Hawaii County issued its own emergency proclamation ahead of Lala’s arrival. Public shelters opened across the Big Island Friday evening, and county officials suspended Hele-On bus and paratransit operations for Saturday and Sunday. Solid-waste facilities and several public events were also closed or canceled.
After passing near the Big Island, Lala is expected to move westward south of the remaining major Hawaiian Islands on Sunday. Tropical storm warnings extend across Maui County, Oahu and Kauai County as heavy rainfall and strong winds spread west through the island chain. Forecasters expect Lala to weaken after interacting with the Big Island, though some restrengthening is possible early next week after the cyclone moves farther west over open water.
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9:00 AM (HST) – Hurricane Lala strengthened into a Category 1 storm Saturday morning as it approached Hawaii’s Big Island, marking an escalation in the threat from a system already producing heavy rain and gusty winds across the island. Lala reached maximum sustained winds of 75 mph around 9 a.m. HST, crossing the threshold for hurricane intensity as its center moved toward the southern portion of Hawaii Island. A hurricane warning remains in effect for the Big Island, where conditions are expected to deteriorate through Saturday afternoon and evening. The National Hurricane Center expects Lala’s core to pass near or over the island’s southern end, although relatively small changes in the track could significantly alter where the strongest winds occur.
Emergency officials are urging residents to remain sheltered and avoid unnecessary travel as the storm makes its closest approach. Fallen trees, power outages and blocked roads are possible, while isolated tornadoes could develop within Lala’s outer rainbands. Hawaii County has opened emergency shelters and authorities have warned residents in flood-prone, coastal and vulnerable structures to complete protective actions before conditions worsen further. Lala is expected to begin weakening after interacting with the Big Island and moving westward, but heavy rainfall and strong winds could continue across portions of Hawaii into Sunday. Even if the hurricane’s center remains offshore, its broad circulation means significant impacts are expected well away from the exact forecast track.
10:08 AM (HST) – Flood Advisories are in effect for the following counties/regions/territories:
•Island of Maui in Maui County (until 1245 PM HST)
•Island of Hawaii in Hawaii County (until 1115 AM HST)
10:10 am (HST) – A Maui resident shares the latest view of the island after Tropical Storm Lala strengthened into a category 1 hurricane Saturday morning.
11:39 AM (HST) – Flood Advisory has been replaced with a Flash Flood Warning for the following counties/regions/territories:
• Island of Hawaii in Hawaii County (Until 1 PM HST)
This story has been updated since its original publication to reflect new information, additional reporting, or subsequent developments.
