Hawaii’s Big Island lashed by rain and wind as Tropical Storm Lala closes in

Hawaii's Big Island faced heavy rain and strong winds from Tropical Storm Lala on Saturday, with the storm set to become a hurricane as it neared land. The National Hurricane Center issued a rare hurricane warning for the island, marking its first landfall in 155 years. Higher elevations on the island could receive up to 25 inches of rain, posing a risk of dangerous mudslides in off-grid, makeshift homes.

The governor warned of the storm's severity, while forecasters said tropical storm force winds could reach 220 miles outward. A hurricane warning was issued for the Big Island, with a tropical storm warning in effect for Maui County. A Category 3 hurricane struck the island's northeast corner in 1871, and the latest forecast suggested Lala would hit near the southern tip.

Authorities urged residents to seek shelter, as the storm's impacts could extend beyond its center. Lala was about 140 miles southeast of South Point, with winds at 65 mph and moving west-northwest at 13 mph. Residents, especially those living off the grid, were urged to find safe shelter quickly. Many parts of Hawaii were still recovering from devastating floods in March, heightening concerns about the storm's impact.