{
  "id": 1446444,
  "title": "Lala weakens over Hawaii, but deadly risks remain after hurricane unleashes torrential rain",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/lala-weakens-over-hawaii-but-deadly-risks-remain-after-hurricane",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-17T07:31:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/world/2026/08/17/lala-weakens-over-hawaii-but-deadly-risks-remain-after-hurricane-unleashes-torrential-rain/231680"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "HONOLULU, Aug 17 — Damage assessments and clean up efforts began yesterday as Hurricane Lala, which was...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Island Sri Lanka",
        "title": "Hurricane Lala sparks flash floods in Hawaii as strong winds and rain persist",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/hurricane-lala-sparks-flash-floods-in-hawaii-as-strong-winds-and-rain",
        "published": "2026-08-16T17:14:48.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Hawaii’s Big Island begins recovery efforts as Hurricane Lala downgrades",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/hawaiis-big-island-begins-recovery-efforts-as-hurricane-lala",
        "published": "2026-08-16T22:24:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Business Recorder",
        "title": "Hurricane Lala leaves thousands without power in Hawaii",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/hurricane-lala-leaves-thousands-without-power-in-hawaii",
        "published": "2026-08-16T23:46:24.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "More than 180,000 without power in Hawaii, 100 homes damaged as Lala weakens to tropical storm",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/more-than-180-000-without-power-in-hawaii-100-homes-damaged-as-lala",
        "published": "2026-08-17T02:35:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Maverick",
        "title": "More than 180,000 without power in Hawaii, 100 homes damaged as Lala weakens to tropical storm",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/more-than-180-000-without-power-in-hawaii-100-homes-damaged-as-lala-1407201",
        "published": "2026-08-17T03:26:50.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}