Hurricane Lala strengthens as Category 1 storm slams Hawaii’s Big Island with heavy rain, strong wind
The National Hurricane Center said Lala is not expected to exceed Category 1 status.
Hurricane-force winds hammer Hawaii
EXCLUSIVE ANALYSIS: The impacts of heavy rain are already being felt, all you have to do take a look at the cascading waterfall. FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross breaks down the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center as hurricane-force winds hammer Hawaii.
THE TAKEAWAY
- Lala strengthened to a hurricane on Saturday morning, Hawaii time.
- Lala has sustained winds of 75 mph, making it a Category 1 hurricane.
- The Big Island is bracing for severe flooding, high winds and dangerous storm surges.
HONOLULU, Hawaii – Lala continues barreling toward the Hawaiian Islands as a Category 1 hurricane ahead of a rare impact on the state, bringing heavy rain and rough surf that could trigger dangerous flash flooding and mudslides across the island chain.
WIDESPREAD ALERTS ISSUED ACROSS HAWAIIAN ISLANDS AS TROPICAL STORM LALA CONTINUES TO STRENGTHEN
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Lala is not expected to exceed Category 1 status.
In the latest advisory, the NHC said that Lala had sustained winds of 75 mph.
According to the NHC, Tropical Storm Lala is currently moving through the Pacific Ocean northwest at 8 mph.
TIMELINE: WHEN HAWAII WILL START FEELING TROPICAL STORM LALA'S IMPACTS
Lala is slowing down as it starts to interact with the Big Island. Winds are going to continue to get stronger as the day goes on, the NHC said.
Heavy rain bands from Lala began impacting the Big Island on Saturday afternoon, along with tropical storm-force wind gusts.
Heavy rain and flooding drench Hawaii with no slowing down
🌧️ DRENCHED: FOX Weather Storm Specialist Mike Seidel reports from Hilo, Hawaii, where heavy downpours are soaking the region as the effects of Hurricane Lala continue to fuel a flood threat from local rivers and streams. #Rain #Flooding #Severewx #Hurricane #Hawaii #FOXWeather
FOX Weather Storm Specialist Mike Seidel reported from Wainaku on the Big Island, giving us the latest pictures as the hurricane made its approach.
The worst impacts are expected from Saturday into Sunday. Storm surge of 1 to 3 feet, increasingly rough surf and dangerous waves will also impact coastal areas.
Power outages were reported on the Big Island starting Saturday morning, with the number of outages increasing as Lala inched closer to the islands, leaving thousands without power.
Hurricane Lala alerts
(FOX Weather)
LATEST FROM FOX WEATHER HURRICANE SPECIALIST BRYAN NORCROSS
Heavy rain, damaging winds, dangerous surf and coastal flooding will all be major concerns through the weekend. Widespread rainfall totals of 5–8 inches are possible, with 12–18+ inches across higher terrain and windward areas. Locally, rainfall could approach 25 inches, bringing a significant threat of life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green declared a State of Emergency on Thursday ahead of the storm, warning that "Lala poses a serious threat to our state, particularly Hawaiʻi Island."
On Saturday morning he gave an update just before Lala was declared a hurricane.
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the Big Island, while a Tropical Storm Warning now covers Maui County, including the islands of Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Kahoolawe, as well as Oahu and Kauai County, including the islands of Kauai and Niihau.