Hawaii braces for potential first direct hit by a hurricane in 34 years

Hawaii finds itself on alert as a potential direct hit from a hurricane since 1992 looms on the horizon. A category one storm named Lala is currently off the coast, with winds reaching up to 75mph (120km/h). Gaining hurricane strength on Saturday, Lala has the potential to unleash up to 25 inches (63cm) of rain on the Big Island and create a 3ft storm surge.

A hurricane warning is currently in effect for the Big Island, while tropical storm warnings are in place for Maui County, Oahu, Kauai, and Niihau. Officials have urged residents to prepare for dangerous conditions, including floods and mudslides. The storm is expected to either make landfall or pass near the southern tip of the Big Island on Saturday before moving west.

The last hurricane to make landfall on Hawaii's Big Island was a powerful category four storm named Iniki in 1992, which caused six deaths and $3 billion in damage. Hawaii Governor Josh Green warned residents to brace for an "incredible amount of water," with damaging winds, heavy rain, flash flooding, and dangerous surf all possible across the state.

At the state's two largest airports, 40% of flights were grounded at Ellison Onizuka Kona International, and 80% were cancelled at Hilo International. The National Weather Service has issued more severe forecasts for areas in the southeast of the Big Island, with the possibility of major rainfall flooding and river and tributary banks rapidly overflowing.

Residents have been urged to prepare early, with local Facebook message boards showing bags of sand being filled to protect homes and questions about store hours. Hawaii County's Civil Defense Agency has stated that public shelters are available on all Big Island counties, and it is advised that preparations have been completed and plans for sheltering are in place.

Hurricane season in the US has been relatively quiet over the past few years, with the last major storm being category three Hurricane Milton in Florida in October 2024. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts that 2026 might also be another low-frequency year for hurricanes in the US, with a 55% chance of a below-normal season.