Hurricane Lala continues to batter the Hawaiian Islands with tropical and hurricane-force winds, knocking power out to nearly 70% of the Big Island as torrential rain triggers flash flooding while the storm moves northwest. Latest update:
THE TAKEAWAY
- One person has died in a storm-related car accident, according to Governor Josh Green
- Violent winds knock power out to nearly 70% of the Big Island
- Flooding is underway as torrential rain and high winds continue to batter the island terrain
HONOLULU, Hawaii – Hurricane Lala continues charging past the Hawaiian Islands as a Category 1 hurricane, unleashing rare and dangerous impacts on the state with violent flooding and damaging winds.
At least one person was killed in a storm-related car accident, according to an update from Governor Josh Green.
A Flash Flood Emergency is now unfolding on the Big Island as torrential rain is still slamming the Islands with reports of at least two homes swept away.
Destructive hurricane-force winds have knocked out power to nearly 70% of the Big Island as Hurricane Lala’s impacts are far from over across the Hawaiian Islands.
Hurricane Lala is tracking northwest along the western side of the Big Island, bringing damaging winds and heavy rainfall that will move toward Oahu and Kauai on Sunday.
In the latest advisory, the NHC said that Lala has sustained winds of 75 mph as it moves through the Pacific Ocean northwest at 10 mph.
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Torrential rain has pushed several area waterways into flood stage.
The Wailuku River, which feeds Rainbow Falls and flows into Hilo, has reached its sixth-highest level on record.
According to the NHC, peak rainfall measurements over the last 12 hours have reached between 15 and 17 inches across windward Maui and the Big Island.
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On top of the flooding, mudslides are a major concern as well.
The center of Hurricane Lala has passed the Big Island and will begin to turn west, moving away from Hawaii on Sunday.
“It will take some time, however, and the worst impacts are still to come across Maui, Molokai, Oahu, Lanai, and Kauaʻi,” the FOX Forecast Center said.
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The worst impacts are ongoing into today. Heavy rain, damaging winds, dangerous surf and coastal flooding will continue to slam the Hawaiian Islands.
🌧️ 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
Rain totals could topple two feet, bringing a significant threat of life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides.
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Waves up to 25 feet have battered the eastern-facing shore.
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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.
