Hurricane Lala dumps heavy rain on Hawaii’s Big Island

Hurricane Lala lashed Hawaii's Big Island on Saturday with heavy rain and strong winds after strengthening into a Category 1 storm. The US National Hurricane Center warned of life-threatening flooding and mudslides, with rainfall totals expected to reach 10 to 20 inches and possibly 25 inches in higher elevations. A hurricane warning was in effect for Hawaii County, and tropical storm warnings covered the state's other seven major islands.

Governor Josh Green proclaimed a state of emergency, saying the state needed resources to clear debris and secure infrastructure. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said his administration had spent days preparing and urged residents to complete storm preparations early. Hawaii has not seen a direct hurricane landfall in 155 years, and the last major hurricane to hit the state was Iniki in 1992, which killed six people and caused billions in damage.

The storm arrives as a powerful El Nino pattern develops in the central Pacific. Times Now reports that scientists anticipate this El Nino could bring extreme weather to the western United States, while the Hindustan Times notes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts a 69% chance of a historic event exceeding previous El Nino events since 1950. Rough conditions from Lala are expected to persist into Sunday.