Lala weakens over Hawaii, but deadly risks remain after hurricane unleashes torrential rain

Hawaii's Big Island received the brunt of Hurricane Lala's torrential rains and strong winds as the storm weakened to a tropical storm overnight. Governor Josh Green called for a thorough investigation into any potential storm-related fatalities, acknowledging the "terrible car accident" and occasional deaths among the homeless.

Emergency Management Director Randy Collins warned that dangers persist even after the storm passes, as workers in the cleanup effort face risks from heavy equipment, chainsaws, and downed power lines. Lala was upgraded from a tropical storm to a Category 1 hurricane on Saturday, reaching wind speeds of up to 75 miles per hour. The National Hurricane Center predicted a slight weakening of the storm by early Sunday as it moved away from the Big Island.

Tropical storm warnings were issued for the other six major islands in Hawaii. The storm, which did not make landfall, caused maximum rainfall totals of 30 to 35 inches on the windward side of the Big Island. Hawaii has not experienced a major hurricane since 1992, when Hurricane Iniki killed at least six people and inflicted billions in damage.

The recent El Nino event in the Pacific Ocean could lead to a high likelihood of additional extreme weather events, including more hurricanes, in the coming months.