{
  "id": 1354201,
  "title": "1 dead in Hawaii as Lala, now a tropical storm, moves west",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/1-dead-in-hawaii-as-lala-now-a-tropical-storm-moves-west",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-16T21:02:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "KahawaTungu",
    "slug": "kahawatungu",
    "url": "https://kahawatungu.com/1-dead-in-hawaii-as-lala-now-a-tropical-storm-moves-west/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "One person lost their life and numerous others experienced power outages following Hurricane Lala, which transitioned into a tropical storm with winds of 70 mph and heavy rainfall in Hawaii overnight. Roughly 126,000 customers across the islands found themselves without power, with nearly 70% of the Big Island left without electricity. Hurricane-force winds were documented in various counties, including Hawaii, Honolulu, and Maui, as the storm's mountainous terrain heightened wind speeds.\n\nHawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda issued a Flash Flood Emergency for Naalehu, classifying it as a \"Particularly Dangerous Situation\" due to potential homes being uprooted from their foundations. Civil defense initiated a search and rescue mission as a result. While Lala moved away from the islands on Sunday morning, heavy rain was anticipated to continue throughout the day. One person died in a storm-related car accident, and over 19 buildings lost their roofs. Acting Civil Defense Administrator Darryl Oliviera reported occupants of a vehicle trapped in floodwaters being rescued, though further details were not provided.\n\nLala reached its closest proximity to the Big Island's southern region around 5 p.m. local time on Saturday, with its eyewall hovering approximately 30 miles away. The southern areas of the island were expected to bear the brunt of hurricane-force winds, which peaked at 80 mph during the storm's closest approach. Overnight, damaging winds and heavy rainfall were forecasted to persist across the Big Island, Maui County, and gradually spread westward to Oahu and Kauai County on Sunday. Though the storm did not make landfall, its effects were still felt, as evidenced by videos showing streets submerged by torrential rain on the Big Island, which received more than 30 inches of rainfall. Over 190 flights in and out of Hawaii were delayed, according to Gov. Josh Green. Emergency responders were expected to be inundated with urgent tasks for 36 hours, with damage assessment set to commence on Monday, he said. A record number of road closures and prolonged power outages had been reported, according to Mayor Alameda. As Lala moved northwest, its primary concern was torrential rain, which could trigger flash flooding and mudslides in steep terrain, particularly on the Big Island. The National Hurricane Center warned of life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in hilly regions. Over 12 inches of rain had already fallen in Keanakolu within 24 hours, while Hilo could experience over a foot of rain, which is more than a month's worth of precipitation for the city. Up to a foot of rain was also expected in parts of Maui, where tropical storm warnings were in effect. Lanai, Molokai, Oahu, Kauai, and Kahoolawe were also under a tropical storm warning. Waves could reach heights of 8 to 12 feet, particularly on east-facing shores under a high surf advisory. Lala's current path had positioned its center south of the Big Island, but its strongest winds were situated north of the eye, directly over land. These winds posed a risk of downing trees and power lines, a risk intensified by rain-soaked soil making trees more susceptible to toppling. As the storm moved past Hawaii, its circulation closer to the ground may sway and deform due to the mountainous terrain of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, potentially nudging the storm center onto land or keeping it offshore. Landfalls on the Hawaiian islands are infrequent, with the last tropical system to make landfall being Tropical Storm Olivia in 2018, which struck Maui, the island's first landfall since recordkeeping began. The last hurricane to make landfall was Category 4 Iniki in 1992, which hit Kauai and remains the strongest storm to directly impact the state on record. Lala could also bring 1 to 3 feet of storm surge water to normally dry ground along parts of the Big Island's coast, accompanied by large, dangerous waves that would build through the weekend, leading to life-threatening surf, rip currents, coastal flooding, and significant beach erosion. Hawaii residents were evacuating to designated shelters and stocking up on essentials at crowded grocery stores as officials across multiple counties announced closures and prepared for potential landfall. In Hilo, grocery stores and gas stations were bustling with residents purchasing necessities, while Mayor Alameda urged the public to take necessary precautions, including gathering emergency kits, informing neighbors, and ensuring the safety of kupuna (elders). Maxine Totty-Hefley, a local resident, described the experience as surreal, noting a frantic rush to gather supplies for herself and her pets, as they planned to evacuate to higher ground.",
  "summary": "One person is dead and tens of thousands have lost power after Hurricane Lala lashed parts of Hawaii overnight, before weakening slightly Sunday morning to a tropical storm with 70 mph sustained winds and heavy rain. At least 126,000 customers are without power across the islands. Nearly 70% of the Big Island is without power. [...] The post 1 dead in Hawaii as Lala, now a tropical storm, moves…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}