Hurricane warning issued for the Big Island of Hawaii as Tropical Storm Lala approaches

Tropical Storm Lala formed Thursday in the Pacific Ocean and is forecast to become a hurricane as it approaches Hawaii's Big Island this weekend. Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center predict the storm could bring heavy rain and flooding to the islands starting late Friday, accompanied by high winds and dangerous surf.

A hurricane warning has been issued for Hawaii County, while a tropical storm watch is in place for Maui County, which includes the islands of Maui, Lanai, Molokai, and Kahoolawe. Lala was located about 455 miles east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii, with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph as it moved west-northwest.

The storm is expected to strengthen into a hurricane before reaching the Big Island on Saturday. Rainfall totals could range from 8 inches to a foot across Maui and the Big Island, with the potential for up to 25 inches on the Big Island. These amounts could lead to life-threatening flooding and mudslides.

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Hernan also formed in the Pacific but is not threatening land and is weakening. In the Atlantic, former Tropical Storm Cristobal degenerated into a post-tropical remnant low and poses no threat to land.