Hurricane Lala dumps heavy rain on Hawaii

Hurricane Lala intensified into a Category 1 hurricane near the southern part of Hawaii's Big Island on Saturday, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to the U.S. Pacific island state. The National Hurricane Center issued a warning for potentially dangerous flooding across the state. Winds of up to 75 miles per hour were reported, and large waves posed a significant threat.

Lala was moving northwest, with some erratic motion possible. It was expected to drop 10 to 20 inches of rain on the Big Island, with totals potentially reaching 25 inches. Power outages affected over 20,000 customers, and swells generated by the storm could cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Governor Josh Green declared a state of emergency, urging residents to prepare for the storm.

Hawaii had not experienced a major hurricane since 1992, when Hurricane Iniki caused significant damage. The storm coincided with a powerful El Nino event in the Pacific Ocean, which can amplify hurricane activity in the region. Hawaii's emergency management agency recommended precautions such as clearing gutters, moving valuables off the ground, and removing tree limbs to protect properties.