Hawaii battered by Tropical Storm Lala: Two dead, widespread destruction

Hawaii is grappling with the aftermath of Tropical Storm Lala, which has inflicted severe damage, particularly on the southeastern side of the Big Island. The storm brought torrential rains, causing widespread flooding and landslides that have devastated communities and infrastructure.

Official reports confirm two fatalities, and over 100 homes have suffered severe damage or been completely destroyed. The storm's impact has been particularly harsh on the road network. Sections of the Pahala highway have collapsed, severing access to a local hospital. The governor described scenes of extensive destruction, with floodwaters washing away bridges and impassable roads littered with fallen trees and debris.

The storm's intensity was marked by winds exceeding 161 kilometers per hour in the Mauna Kea area, reaching hurricane force. These powerful winds caused extensive power outages, leaving more than 120,000 residents in Hawaii, Honolulu, and Maui counties without electricity. Crews are actively working to restore power and clear roadways.

Even as the storm moves away, authorities caution that dangers persist, with downed power lines posing a significant threat to residents. The sheer volume of rainfall, reaching up to one meter in some areas, has swollen rivers, as evidenced by the dramatic increase in flow at Rainbow Falls in Hilo. The cleanup and recovery operations are expected to be extensive as the islands begin to assess the full scale of the damage.

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The governor spoke of scenes of extensive destruction, describing a huge volume of water that swept away bridges on the highway.