Lala, now a hurricane, dumps heavy rain on Hawaii
HONOLULU: Hurricane Lala on Saturday lashed Hawaii’s Big Island with heavy rain and strong winds, as forecasters warned of potentially dangerous flooding across the US Pacific island state.
Hawaii's Big Island faced a Category 1 hurricane on Saturday, with hurricane Lala bringing heavy rain and strong winds. The storm's winds reached up to 75 miles per hour, and it was expected to bring 10 to 20 inches of rain, potentially 25 inches, to the island. This rainfall would cause life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas with steep terrain.
A storm surge of one to three feet would accompany large, dangerous waves, and swells would build through the weekend, leading to life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. The rough conditions were expected to persist into Sunday. Governor Josh Green declared a state of emergency, and Mayor Rick Blangiardi of Honolulu urged residents to be prepared.
The state had not experienced a major hurricane since 1992. Hawaii was currently in the midst of a powerful El Nino, which could amplify the storm's impacts. Residents were advised to clear gutters and drains, move valuables off the ground, seal gaps in doors, and remove tree limbs threatening their properties.
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