One person is dead and at least 126,000 customers remain without power after Hurricane Lala passed near the Hawaiian Islands. The storm, which reached Category 1 hurricane status on Saturday, was downgraded to a tropical storm Sunday morning as it began moving west away from the island chain with sustained winds of 70 mph.
The National Hurricane Center reported that the storm's eyewall passed within 30 miles of the Big Island’s southern coast at approximately 5 p.m. local time on Saturday. During its closest approach, the storm produced maximum wind speeds of 80 mph. While the center of the storm did not make landfall, it brought torrential rain and hurricane-force wind gusts to Hawaii, Honolulu, and Maui counties.
Governor Josh Green confirmed one storm-related fatality occurred in a car accident on Saturday evening. Officials also reported that at least 19 buildings lost their roofs, and Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda stated that search and rescue missions were initiated following reports that occupied homes may have been swept off their foundations in Naalehu. A Flash Flood Emergency was issued for that area, which the National Weather Service categorized as a "Particularly Dangerous Situation."
The scale of the rainfall is also significant, with over 30 inches recorded on parts of the Big Island. For residents in Hilo, the foot of rain received in a 24-hour period represents more than an entire month’s worth of typical precipitation. This volume of water, combined with 8-to-12-foot waves on east-facing shores, creates immediate risks of life-threatening mudslides and coastal erosion. Residents in steep terrain will notice significant changes to local geography and road access, as officials reported a record number of closures due to landslides and downed utility lines.
Recovery efforts are scheduled to begin in stages, with Governor Green stating that emergency responders will be focused on urgent matters for approximately 36 hours as the storm clears. Formal damage assessments are scheduled to begin on Monday, August 17. While the storm is pulling away, tropical storm warnings remain in effect for Maui, Lanai, Molokai, Oahu, Kauai, and Kahoolawe, meaning residents in these areas should expect continued heavy rain and potential flash flooding through the remainder of Sunday.