Hawaii battles strong winds and rain as Hurricane Lala threat looms

Hawaii is bracing for the arrival of a powerful Hurricane Lala, which has already unleashed strong winds and heavy rain on the southern tip of the island. As of Saturday, the hurricane boasted wind speeds of up to 80mph (130km/h), prompting officials to issue a hurricane warning for Big Island. The storm is forecast to unleash a staggering 25 inches (63cm) of rain on the Big Island and a 3-foot storm surge.

Tropical storm warnings have been issued for Maui County, Oahu, Kauai, and Niihau. Tragically, one person lost their life in a car accident. Hawaii Governor Josh Green urged residents to prioritize safety, stating, "Please be very safe… you do not want to be out on the roads." The storm is expected to remain a significant threat through Sunday morning before drifting westward.

At 5:00 PM local time (11:00 AM GMT), the National Hurricane Center reported that Hurricane Lala's eye wall was brushing against the southern portion of the Big Island. Damaging winds and heavy rain were anticipated to persist across the Big Island throughout the night and would subsequently spread westward across the smaller islands on Sunday. The storm was currently moving at a pace of nine miles per hour, prompting authorities to warn of life-threatening conditions such as floods.

The last time a hurricane made landfall on Hawaii's Big Island was a staggering 155 years ago, according to the Associated Press. Throughout the weekend, Lala is projected to continue moving westward, potentially weakening into a tropical storm as it passes just below Hawaii's other islands. Governor Josh Green warned residents to brace for "an incredible amount of water," noting that damaging winds, heavy rain, flash flooding, and dangerous surf could occur across the state over the weekend.

Dozens of flights have been canceled, with 40% of flights grounded at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport on the Big Island and 80% of flights called off at Hilo International, its other primary airport.