Tropical Storm Lala Tracker Map: 'Catastrophic' Warning Issued for Hawaii
Potential impacts from the storm could range from "devastating to catastrophic" and could lead to evacuations, the NWS warned.
Tropical Storm Lala has been upgraded to a hurricane, and a catastrophic warning has been issued for Hawaii's Big Island. The storm is expected to bring life-threatening flooding and damaging winds to the region over the weekend. Initially, Lala was forecast to remain a tropical storm as it passed Hawaii, but it is now anticipated to strengthen before making landfall.
As of the latest forecast, the storm is located about 765 miles east-southeast of Honolulu and has maximum sustained winds of 60 mph. The National Weather Service in Honolulu has placed the Big Island South district under a hurricane watch, indicating that hurricane-force winds could occur within the next 48 hours. An additional 5 to 10 inches of rain are forecast, with locally higher totals possible, which could lead to extreme flooding, especially in areas with steep terrain.
The storm poses a significant risk of flooding and mudslides, and wind speeds are expected to pick up as Lala approaches. Residents are urged to complete preparations and closely monitor forecasts for any additional watches or warnings.
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