Lala strengthens into a hurricane and bears down on Hawaii’s Big Island with heavy rain, winds
Forecasters warned of up to 25 inches of rain and 3-foot storm surge as shelters opened and outages spread across Hawaii.
- Hurricane Lala strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane with 75 mph winds on Saturday, poised to strike the southern Big Island as the first direct hurricane threat in 155 years.
- Tropical storm winds extend 220 miles from the center, threatening Oahu and Kauai by Sunday morning, while forecasters predict 8 to 12 inches of rain across lower elevations and up to 25 inches on Mauna Kea's higher slopes.
- Officials warned residents in unpermitted structures to seek safe shelter as steep terrain faces life-threatening mudslides, while dry, breezy conditions outside the storm could trigger wildfires—a heightened concern following Lahaina's 2023 fire.
- Emergency shelters opened and events were canceled as Gov. Josh Green described the system as "an enormous storm." Authorities urged ranchers to move cattle to pastures rather than structures that may collapse.
- The Big Island has not experienced a direct hurricane landfall since 1871, when a Category 3 storm killed six people and destroyed thousands of homes. Warmer ocean temperatures and weakening upper-atmosphere winds are fueling increased Pacific hurricane activity this year.
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198 Articles
Tropical Storm Lala strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane over the weekend, bringing damaging winds and exceptionally heavy rainfall to the Hawaiian Islands. The largest island of Hawaiʻi was threatened with its first direct hit by a hurricane in 155 years. The El Niño climate phenomenon is also contributing to the intensity of this year's hurricane season in the Pacific.
Hurricane Lala damaging winds and rain hit the Big Island
HILO, HI. (NBC, KYMA) - Hurricane Lala is continuing northwestward towards the Big Island as it brings damaging winds and rain to Hawaii. As of Saturday night, radar and satellite data indicate Lala's winds have reached a maximum of 75 mph so far. After the category 1 hurricane passes the Big Island of Hawaii, it is expected to turn westward on Sunday. With its forward speed expecting to increase while the center of the storm stays south of the …
Terrifying Gusts Pound Big Island
Officials warn Hawaii’s Big Island to brace for hurricane-force winds, flooding rain, and dangerous surf as Lala strengthens and nears South Point on Saturday. Story Snapshot Hawaii County is under a hurricane warning as Lala strengthens toward the Big Island. Forecasters expect damaging hurricane-force winds on Saturday, with strongest gusts in higher terrain. State and...
The tropical storm "Lala" has become a hurricane before Hawaii.
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