Hawaii braces for direct hit from Tropical Storm Lala
Storm expected to strengthen to hurricane as state of emergency declared amid danger of ‘life-threatening’ floods Tropical Storm Lala is set to hit Hawaii’s Big Island with hurricane force in a matter of hours, bringing dangerous winds, heavy rainfall and high surf in a sign of what a strengthening “super” El Niño in the Pacific may bring. The tropical storm is currently about 420 miles (675km)…
Hawaii braces for direct hit from Tropical Storm Lala as it is expected to strengthen into a hurricane, bringing life-threatening floods and dangerous conditions. The tropical storm is currently about 420 miles southeast of Hilo, packing winds of 60mph and forecast to intensify as it approaches the Big Island. Hurricane warnings have been issued for Hawaii county, while tropical storm warnings are in effect for Maui, Molokai, and Kahoolawe.
Rainfall totals of 8-12 inches are predicted across Maui and the Big Island, with up to 25 inches in certain areas. A storm surge of 1-3 feet is also expected as the storm comes ashore on Saturday. Hawaii's governor has declared a state of emergency, urging residents to secure their homes, gather supplies, and follow updates from official sources.
Flood watches are in effect for several islands, and the Hawai‘i Volcanoes national park has closed access to the summit of Mauna Loa. Two years ago, Tropical Storm Iselle caused significant damage to the island. El Niño, a powerful climate pattern, may exacerbate the storm's impact, promoting hurricane activity in the Pacific.
Written by urgent.news from The Guardian US's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
