{
  "id": 916200,
  "title": "A rare hurricane landfall threat for Hawaii’s Big Island as strengthening Tropical Storm Lala nears",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/a-rare-hurricane-landfall-threat-for-hawaiis-big-island-as",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-14T21:59:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "CityNews",
    "slug": "citynews",
    "url": "https://toronto.citynews.ca/2026/08/14/a-rare-hurricane-landfall-threat-for-hawaiis-big-island-as-lala-nears/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Tropical Storm Lala is anticipated to intensify into a hurricane as it approaches Hawaii's Big Island later this weekend, according to forecasters. The National Hurricane Center predicts the storm will reach hurricane strength before making landfall on the Big Island on Saturday morning. Should this occur, it would mark the first hurricane landfall on the island since 1871. The storm poses the potential for significant rainfall, leading to damaging flooding, and powerful winds capable of igniting wildfires. The National Weather Service's Vanessa Almanza emphasized this would be the first such landfall since records began with satellite observations. A hurricane warning has been issued for the Big Island, and a tropical storm warning is currently active for Maui County, which encompasses Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and Kahoolawe. Residents and officials are on high alert, preparing for potential destruction despite the storm not necessarily making direct landfall. Heavy rain, up to 25 inches (63.5 centimeters), is expected in some areas, prompting the opening of shelters and the cancellation of various events. State Representative Jeanné Kapela urged residents to remain vigilant and heed the storm's progress. Many parts of the state are still grappling with the aftermath of severe flooding in March, so authorities are well-aware of the rapid impacts heavy rainfall can have on rural communities. Brian Miyamoto, executive director of the Hawaii Farm Bureau, expressed concern for farmers as many areas are still recovering from the previous floods, particularly on Oahu's North Shore. Coffee farmer Bruce Corker noted that while the island seemed normal in Holualoa the previous day, the potential for overflowing streams and high winds was cause for concern. Although there are currently no red flag warnings, Almanza cautioned that dry and breezy conditions could still exacerbate fire risks. The storm's proximity to the Big Island, located approximately 340 miles (545 kilometers) east-southeast of South Point, had maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 kph) as of late Friday morning, moving west-northwest at 14 mph (22 kph).",
  "summary": "HONOLULU (AP) — Tropical Storm Lala is expected to strengthen to a hurricane before reaching Hawaii's Big Island this weekend, forecasters said Friday, bringing heavy rains that can cause destructive flooding and strong winds that can fuel wildfires.",
  "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."
}