Tropical storm “Lala” has intensified into a Category 1 hurricane and is approaching the Big Island of Hawaii on Saturday, August 15th. Weather forecasts predict that “Lala” will bring heavy rain, floods, and potentially life-threatening large waves and offshore currents to the area.
As of Saturday morning local time, tropical storm “Lala” strengthened into a hurricane with maximum sustained winds reaching 75 miles per hour. When the maximum sustained winds of a tropical storm reach 74 miles per hour, it is upgraded to a hurricane.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) in the United States stated on Saturday that the core of Hurricane “Lala” will pass through the Big Island of Hawaii on Saturday, and then move southward past other smaller islands on Sunday. However, the center also warned that the storm’s track may experience some “irregular” changes.
According to reports from FlightAware, over 200 flights in the Hawaii region were canceled on Saturday due to the approaching hurricane. Norwegian Cruise Line mentioned that some of its cruise routes will be affected.
Meteorologists indicated that the island’s high-altitude areas, mainly dominated by the towering Mauna Kea volcano, could receive up to 25 inches (63.5 centimeters) of rainfall.
With “Lala” nearing, the east coast of the Big Island of Hawaii is already feeling the impact. Hilo is being pounded by heavy rain and intense storms. Torrential rain is pouring down along the windward coast, causing a rapid decrease in visibility and dangerous flooding on coastal roads.
“Lala” is expected to come closest to the Big Island of Hawaii on Saturday afternoon and could make landfall. If it lands as a hurricane, it will be the first direct hit on the state of Hawaii in over 30 years.
A hurricane warning has been issued for the Big Island of Hawaii, with hurricane conditions expected on Saturday afternoon, with wind speeds reaching a minimum of 74 miles per hour. The areas most likely to be hit by hurricane-force winds are the southern parts of the island, which will bear the brunt of the core of Hurricane “Lala.”
The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a flash flood warning for Hawaii County.
Governor of Hawaii, Josh Green, stated on Friday, August 14th that Hawaii is set to experience “an incredible amount of rainfall,” and cautioned residents and tourists to prepare for severe flooding and widespread power outages. Mudslides are also a major concern, while the massive and dangerous waves could lead to coastal flooding and severe beach erosion. The National Hurricane Center has issued a rare hurricane warning for the Big Island of Hawaii.
“This is a very serious storm,” Green said during a press briefing on Friday evening, adding, “We haven’t had a storm make landfall for quite some time. So, very few of us in the present generation have really experienced this situation – at least not in the past few decades.”