Hurricane Lala hits Hawaii’s Big Island, 40,000 without power

Hurricane Lala has left more than 40,000 utility customers without power across Hawaii as it threatens the Big Island with the first direct hurricane hit there in 155 years, according to the National Hurricane Centre. The storm, a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 120 kmph, was forecast to move over or very close to the southern end of the Big Island on Saturday evening. The Times of India reports that the Big Island, home to about 210,000 people, is under a hurricane warning, while tropical storm warnings have been issued for Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Oahu, Kauai and Niihau.

The National Hurricane Centre warned of life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in steep terrain, predicting 25.4 to 51 cm of rain for the Big Island, with isolated totals potentially reaching 63.5 cm. The Hindu reports that Hawaiian Electric warned customers to expect possible extended outages, potentially overnight, after fallen trees damaged a 67.6-km stretch of transmission lines on the Hamakua Coast. The Hawaii Department of Transportation has closed Hilo International Airport and will close Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole, along with commercial ports on Hawaii Island, Maui County and Kauai. The Maunakea Weather Centre recorded wind gusts exceeding 161 kmph on the Big Island's highest peak.

Governor Josh Green urged residents to shelter in place as rainfall reached about 5 cm an hour. The Times of India notes that the storm also raises concerns about wildfires in parts of Hawaii outside its immediate path, heightened by the devastating 2023 Lahaina wildfire. Schools and events have been cancelled as residents prepare for extended power cuts and potential destruction.