Hurricane Lala Devastates Hawaii, Causing Widespread Damage and One Fatality

Hurricane Lala battered Hawaii, causing significant damage and leaving a trail of destruction across the islands. Power outages affected nearly 130,000 customers on the Big Island and neighboring islands, according to PowerOutage.us. Local media reported uprooted trees, blocked roads, and severe flooding on the Big Island, home to about 200,000 residents. Hawaii Governor Josh Green urged residents to stay off the roads.

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We are going to mobilize Aviq to answer questions about prolonged exposure to smoke from the fire for people living in the region.

Tragedy struck as one person died in a car accident in the southern part of the Big Island. The situation became particularly perilous late Saturday evening when the U.S. National Weather Service issued an extreme emergency declaration for some parts of the island due to flash floods. Police reported that floodwaters washed away several homes, and the weather service warned of life-threatening and catastrophic conditions.

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The priority remains to support the teams engaged against the fire and to adapt public resources to the real needs on the ground. The SPW MI will continue to mobilize its agents and its infrastructure as long as necessary to guarantee water intake, maintain operational access and facilitate interventions.

Governor Green announced Saturday afternoon that the hurricane had ripped roofs off 19 buildings. The eye of the Category 1 hurricane passed about 90 kilometers south of the island as it tracked westward, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center. Lala later weakened to a tropical storm.

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We are going to mobilize Aviq to answer questions about prolonged exposure to smoke from the fire for people living in the region.

The storm was forecast to bring 30-50 centimeters of rain to the windward side of the Big Island, with some areas already exceeding these amounts. Laupahoehoe recorded nearly 65 centimeters of rain in 36 hours. The NHC warned that the danger of flooding, landslides, and hazardous waves persists. Even with the storm center further away, dangerously strong winds and heavy rains threatened smaller Hawaiian islands, including Maui, Oahu, Kauai, and Niihau, through Sunday. Flood advisories were in effect for Oahu, Kauai, and Niihau until late Sunday evening, with up to 20 centimeters of rain predicted in some areas.

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The priority remains to support the teams engaged against the fire and to adapt public resources to the real needs on the ground. The SPW MI will continue to mobilize its agents and its infrastructure as long as necessary to guarantee water intake, maintain operational access and facilitate interventions.