Tropical Storm Lala is blasting Hawaii with wind gusts between 50 and 75 mph, leading to power outages across the island chain. FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross joins FOX Weather live with an exclusive analysis of what residents can expect on Sunday.
THE TAKEAWAY
- Lala downgrades to tropical storm status following the latest National Hurricane Center advisory.
- One person has died in a storm-related car accident, according to Governor Josh Green.
- Flooding is underway as torrential rain and high winds continue to batter the island terrain.
HONOLULU, Hawaii – Lala continues moving westward offshore of the Hawaiian Islands as a newly downgraded tropical storm, maintaining rare and dangerous impacts on the state with violent flooding and damaging winds.
The system was briefly upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane by the National Hurricane Center on Saturday afternoon before its recent weakening trend.
killed in a storm-related car accident, according to an update from Governor Josh Green.At least one person was
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A Flash Flood Emergency unfolded on the Big Island as torrential rain is still slamming the Islands, with reports of at least two homes swept away.
Destructive winds have knocked out power to nearly 70% of the Big Island as Tropical Storm Lala’s impacts are far from over across the Hawaiian Islands.
Tropical Strom Lala is tracking northwest along the western side of the Big Island, bringing damaging winds and heavy rainfall that will move toward Oahu and Kauai on Sunday.
In the latest advisory, the NHC said that Lala has sustained winds of 65 mph as it moves through the Pacific Ocean northwest at 14 mph.
Tropical Storm Lala
(FOX Weather)
TRACK HURRICANE LALA: LATEST ALERTS, LIVE RADAR AND WARNINGS
Torrential rain has pushed several area waterways into flood stage.
The Wailuku River, which feeds Rainbow Falls and flows into Hilo, has reached its sixth-highest level on record.
Lala forecast track
(FOX Weather)
According to the NHC, peak rainfall measurements over the last 12 hours have reached between 15 and 17 inches across windward Maui and the Big Island.
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On top of the flooding, mudslides are a major concern as well.
Top rainfall totals
(FOX Weather)
The center of Tropical Storm Lala has passed the Big Island and will begin to turn west, moving away from Hawaii on Sunday.
“It will take some time, however, and the worst impacts are still to come across Maui, Molokai, Oahu, Lanai, and Kauaʻi,” the FOX Forecast Center said.
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Major flooding in Waiohinu, Hawaii, from Hurricane Lala on Saturday, Aug. 15.
(Hawaii Department of Transportation ) -
Surfers wipe out in choppy waves in Honolulu, Hawaii, brought on by Hurricane Lala on Aug. 15.
(COURTEY COLLINS ) -
Flooding in Waimea Big Island, Hawaii from Hurricane Lala on Saturday, Aug. 15.
(Christina Butler) -
Debris washes ashore in Wainaku, Hawaii, during Hurricane Lala on Saturday, Aug. 15.
(MIKE SEIDEL) -
Downed trees block roadways in Waiohinu, Hawaii, during Hurricane Lala on Saturday, Aug. 15.
(Hawaii Department of Transportation ) -
Major flooding in Waiohinu, Hawaii, from Hurricane Lala on Saturday, Aug. 15.
(Hawaii Department of Transportation ) -
Downed trees and power lines in Waiohinu, HI, from Hurricane Lala on Saturday, Aug. 15.
(Hawaii Department of Transportation )
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The worst impacts are continuing Sunday. Heavy rain, damaging winds, dangerous surf and coastal flooding will continue to slam the Hawaiian Islands.
🌧️ DRENCHED: FOX Weather Storm Specialist Mike Seidel reports from Hilo, Hawaii, where heavy downpours are soaking the region as the effects of Hurricane Lala continue to fuel a flood threat from local rivers and streams. #Rain #Flooding #Severewx #Hurricane #Hawaii #FOXWeather
Rain totals could topple two feet, bringing a significant threat of life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides.
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Waves up to 25 feet have battered the eastern-facing shore.
Tropical Storm Lala alerts
(FOX Weather )
Hawaii Governor Josh Green declared a State of Emergency on Thursday ahead of the storm, warning that “Lala poses a serious threat to our state, particularly Hawaiʻi Island.”
On Saturday morning he gave an update just before Lala was declared a hurricane.
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A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the Main Island, but has since been discontinued.
Stay with FOX Weather for updates to this developing story.
