{
  "id": 1043649,
  "title": "Hawaii’s Big Island lashed by rain and wind as Tropical Storm Lala closes in",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/hawaiis-big-island-lashed-by-rain-and-wind-as-tropical-storm-lala-1043649",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-15T13:23:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Associated Press",
    "slug": "associated-press",
    "url": "https://apnews.com/article/hawaii-tropical-storm-lala-hurricane-0c3d63c8a87943cdf8d57c530a7ed9d0"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Hawaii's Big Island faced torrential rain and strong winds as Tropical Storm Lala approached on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. The National Hurricane Center issued a rare hurricane warning for the island, marking its first landfall in 155 years. Higher elevations could receive up to 25 inches of rain, posing a risk of dangerous mudslides in remote, off-grid communities. Tropical storm-force winds extended up to 220 miles, threatening Oahu and Kauai by Sunday morning. Such conditions could lead to destructive flooding and wildfires.\n\nA Category 3 hurricane hit the northeast corner of the island in 1871, according to research by a University of Hawaii atmospheric scientist. Tropical Storm Lala was expected to make landfall near the southern tip of the Big Island, weather service meteorologist Vanessa Almanza warned. Authorities urged residents to seek shelter immediately, as the storm's impacts could extend beyond its center. Shelters were set to open, and numerous events were canceled. \"It doesn't take landfall to create destruction,\" Almanza noted, emphasizing that the storm's effects would be felt throughout the island chain.",
  "summary": "HONOLULU (AP) — Tropical Storm Lala was already whipping and soaking Hawaii’s Big Island early Saturday, and was expected to strengthen into a hurricane as it approaches land. The National Hurricane Center issued a rare hurricane warning…",
  "key_points": [
    "Tropical Storm Lala nearing Hawaii's Big Island on Aug. 15, 2026",
    "Hurricane warning issued for first landfall in 155 years",
    "Up to 25 inches of rain possible, causing mudslides and wildfires"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "PBS NewsHour",
        "title": "Hawaii's Big Island lashed by rain and wind as Tropical Storm Lala closes in",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/hawaiis-big-island-lashed-by-rain-and-wind-as-tropical-storm-lala-1062714",
        "published": "2026-08-15T15:17:14.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}