Hawaii is bracing for a potential hurricane strike as Tropical Storm Lala tracks north toward the Big Island, threatening the region with torrential rainfall, damaging winds, and dangerous surf, according to the National Hurricane Center and CNN. Forecasters warn the system could become the first-ever hurricane to make a direct hit on the Big Island.
Storm Track and Current Intensity
As of Friday evening, Tropical Storm Lala carried maximum sustained winds of 65 mph while moving west-northwest approximately 260 miles southeast of Hilo, according to the National Hurricane Center. The system’s track brings it near the Big Island on Saturday, creating the possibility of a rare hurricane landfall. Meteorologists note that even a slight shift in the storm’s path will determine whether the center crosses the island or passes just to its south.
Confidence in the exact trajectory is expected to improve as the storm approaches and interacts with land, which can cause the center to wobble, according to CNN. Landfalls across the Hawaiian island chain remain rare in the modern record. The last tropical system to make landfall was Tropical Storm Olivia in 2018, which came ashore on Maui. The last landfalling hurricane occurred in 1992, when Category 4 Iniki hit Kauai as the strongest storm to directly strike the state on record.
Rainfall and Flood Threats
Extreme rainfall presents the most serious hazard associated with Lala. The National Hurricane Center warns that the storm could unload 8 to 12 inches of rain across Maui and the Big Island, with isolated totals reaching up to 25 inches on the Big Island. The remainder of the island chain faces 4 to 6 inches of rain, with isolated amounts up to 8 inches.
Heavy rain is projected to begin on the Big Island on Friday before spreading to Maui on Saturday and reaching Lanai, Molokai, Oahu, and Kauai by Sunday. Forecasters caution that the deluge will trigger life-threatening flooding and mudslides, particularly in steep terrain. In anticipation of the severe weather, a hurricane warning is in effect for Hawaii County, a tropical storm warning covers Maui County, and a tropical storm watch is active for Oahu and Kauai counties.
Wind, Surf, and Emergency Preparations
The Big Island faces the greatest risk of Lala’s strongest winds, which can down trees and power lines. Rain-soaked soil exacerbates this threat by making trees more susceptible to toppling. Additionally, the storm could push 1 to 3 feet of storm surge above normally dry ground along parts of the Big Island’s coast, accompanied by large, dangerous waves reaching east-facing shores.
Gov. Josh Green declared a statewide emergency on Thursday, allowing officials to activate the National Guard and access emergency funds. Local leaders are urging residents to prepare. Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda advised residents to secure emergency kits, check on neighbors and kūpuna (elders), and utilize sandbags provided around the island. In Maui County, Mayor Richard Bissen noted that officials identified temporary evacuation points as residents stock up on essentials at local grocery stores and gas stations.
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