'It's actually hard for us to see', says reporter as Hurricane Lala looms. #Hawaii #BBCNews
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'It's actually hard for us to see', says reporter as Hurricane Lala looms. #Hawaii #BBCNews
Josh GreenNational Hurricane Center

Tropical storm Lala drenches Hawaii with heavy rain and winds; over 60,000 households lose power as storm moves past islands

Tropical storm Lala drenched Hawaii with heavy rain and winds, leaving over 60,000 households without power as it moved past the islands. The storm caused significant flooding and damage, with reports of one fatality and numerous roofs lost, according to state officials.

Toronto Star16 August 2026 · 00:51 UTC
CuriousCats Full Story

Tropical storm Lala weakened to a tropical storm Sunday after skirting Hawaii without making landfall, but it continued to impact the Big Island with hurricane-force gusts.1456

Total rainfall of nearly three feet (one meter) was expected on the higher windward slopes, turning rivers into raging torrents and threatening mudslides.

Tropical storm conditions spread westward from Maui to Oahu and Kauai, with the National Hurricane Center warning that wind speeds atop mountains and on the windward and leeward slopes can be up to 30% stronger than near-surface winds.2

As of 2 a.m. Sunday, Lala was centered about 105 miles (170 kilometers) west-northwest of Kailua-Kona and about 100 miles (160 kilometers) south of Honolulu, with tropical-storm-force winds extending as much as 175 miles (280 km) from its center.

The storm sustained top winds of 70 mph (110 kph) and was moving northwest at about 15 mph (24 km/h).

More than 60,000 households were without power, along with three hospitals that switched to generator power, according to Gov. Josh Green.3

At least one person died in a car accident in the South Point area of the Big Island, while 19 roofs were lost in the “enormous storm,” the governor reported.

Tropical storm warnings were in effect for the islands of Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Oahu, Kauai, and Niihau, raising the possibility of destructive flooding and even wildfires due to strong winds.

Forecasters expect Lala to regain hurricane strength midweek once it’s well west of the island chain.

Key Insight
“Rainfall of nearly three feet is expected on higher windward slopes, threatening mudslides and turning rivers into torrents. The National Hurricane Center warns mountain winds can be 30% stronger than near-surface readings, and forecasters expect Lala to regain hurricane strength midweek.”
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Tropical Storm Lala heads toward Hawaii
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Toronto Star
“Hurricane Lala weakened to a tropical storm Sunday after skirting Hawaii without making landfall, but it wasn’t done punishing the Big Island with hurricane-force gusts.”
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EARLIER IN THE STORY:
Hurricane Lala batters Hawaii's Big Island as Category 1 storm; forecasters warn of life-threatening flooding, mudslides, and dangerous surf
USA TodayUSA Today
Hurricane Lala batters Hawaii's Big Island as Category 1 storm; forecasters warn of life-threatening flooding, mudslides, and dangerous surf

Hurricane Lala battered the Big Island of Hawaii's southern coast as a Category 1 hurricane, with the northern edge of its eyewall brushing South Point while the center remained offshore.

Big Island HurricaneCentral Pacific Hurricane CenterFlooding Rains Hawaii
2026-08-16
TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
  • Hurricane Lala battered the Big Island's southern coast as a Category 1 hurricane, with the northern edge of its eyewall brushing South Point.
  • Forecasters warned of more than 2 feet of rain on parts of the Big Island, with widespread totals of 10 to 20 inches.
  • At least one person died in a car accident near South Point on Saturday, according to Gov. Josh Green.
  • Two homes were swept away in Naalehu amid flooding, as reported by the National Weather Service.
  • Lala is expected to head west on Sunday, with the core passing south of the rest of the Hawaiian Islands.
  • The rain will produce life-threatening flooding, forecasters warned, with wind gusts of more than 65 mph on the Big Island and Maui.
Hurricane Lala leaves 42,889 without power in Hawaii amid 'life-threatening' conditions; airports and ports closed as storm moves westward
CNBCCNBC
Hurricane Lala leaves 42,889 without power in Hawaii amid 'life-threatening' conditions; airports and ports closed as storm moves westward

Hurricane Lala, a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph, approached Hawaii on Saturday, leaving more than 40,000 utility customers without power across the state.

Big Island RainHamakua Coast DamageHawaii Airports Closed
2026-08-16
TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
  • Hurricane Lala approached Hawaii with strong winds and heavy rain on Saturday, leaving more than 40,000 utility customers without power across the state as the National Hurricane Center warned of "life-threatening" conditions.
  • The poweroutage.com website showed 42,889 customers without power as of 2:14 p.m. HST (0014 GMT on Sunday) in Hawaii, including 31,792 on the Big Island and 7,203 in Maui County, which includes the islands of Maui, Lanai and Molokai.
  • An advisory from the hurricane center at 2 p.m. HST predicted 10 to 20 inches (25.4 to 51 cm) of rain on the Big Island, and possibly up to 25 inches there, as well as 8 to 12 inches in eastern Maui and 4 to 6 inches in western Maui.
  • Hawaiian Electric warned customers to expect possible extended outages, potentially overnight, as the storm system made its way westward across Hawaii.
  • On the Hamakua Coast on the Big Island, utility crews were assessing a 42-mile (67.6 km) span of transmission lines after fallen trees knocked down multiple poles and structures, Hawaiian Electric spokesperson Darren Pai told TV station Hawaii News Now.
  • The Maunakea Weather Center, on the Big Island's tallest peak, recorded wind gusts of more than 100 mph throughout the early afternoon, although winds would have been slower closer to sea level.
Hurricane Lala lashes Hawaii with strong winds and heavy rain, leaving 89,000 without power; tropical storm warnings issued for Maui, Oahu, Kauai
Sky News
Hurricane Lala lashes Hawaii with strong winds and heavy rain, leaving 89,000 without power; tropical storm warnings issued for Maui, Oahu, Kauai

Hurricane Lala is lashing Hawaii with strong winds and heavy rain, leaving more than 89,000 households without power across the state.

Airport ClosuresBig Island FloodingDamaging Winds
2026-08-16
TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
  • Hurricane Lala is lashing Hawaii with strong winds and heavy rain, leaving more than 89,000 households without power across the state.
  • Although it did not make landfall on Big Island, roads have flooded with rivers turned into raging torrents.
  • Hawaii Governor Josh Green said some areas have already received more than 13in (33cm) of rain.
  • Damaging winds are expected throughout the night, with residents urged to stay in their shelter.
  • According to the National Hurricane Center, rainfall "will produce life-threatening floods and mudslides".
  • Tropical storm warnings have been issued for the islands of Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Oahu, Kauai and Niihau. Extended power outages are possible, with fallen trees already knocking down multiple poles and structures. Major airports were closed as the hurricane approached.
Hurricane Lala bears down on Hawaii's Big Island with heavy rain and winds; power knocked out for 32% of customers as governor calls it 'enormous storm'
ctvnews.ca
Hurricane Lala bears down on Hawaii's Big Island with heavy rain and winds; power knocked out for 32% of customers as governor calls it 'enormous storm'

Hurricane Lala strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 75 m.p.h (120 kph), threatening Hawaii’s Big Island with its first possible direct hit in 155 years.

Big IslandFire ConcernsGovernor Warning
2026-08-16
TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
  • Lala strengthens into a hurricane and is currently bearing down on Hawaii's Big Island, bringing heavy rain and winds.
  • The storm's centre is forecast to move very close to the southern tip of the Big Island, according to meteorologist Vanessa Almanza.
  • The governor earlier called it an 'enormous storm', capable of destructive flooding and even wildfires, and electricity was knocked out for 32 per cent of Big Island customers, according to poweroutage.us.
  • Residents prepared for the storm: Bobby Camara planned to 'hunker down' at a care home near Hilo, while Mike Caputo had his generator ready and a full 10,000-gallon water tank.
  • Preparations included opening shelters, cancelling events, and urging ranchers to leave cattle in pastures, with predictions of 8 to 12 inches of rain across Maui and lower elevations of the Big Island.
  • The storm raised fire concerns due to dry and breezy conditions, recalling the 2023 Lahaina fire and the 1992 Hurricane Iniki on Kauai, which caused US$3 billion in damage and killed six people.
CuriousCats
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Rainfall totals of 30 to 35 inches are possible over the windward Big Island, with rates of 3 to 5 inches per hour causing catastrophic flash flooding in Ka'ū District. A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for all Hawaiian counties, with storm surge and life-threatening surf expected along exposed coasts.

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Tropical Storm Lala lashes Hawaii's Big Island with rain and wind as rare hurricane warning marks first landfall threat in 155 years
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Tropical Storm Lala lashes Hawaii's Big Island with rain and wind as rare hurricane warning marks first landfall threat in 155 years

Forecasters warn of up to 25 inches of rain at higher elevations, risking life-threatening mudslides for off-grid residents in improvised housing. Gov. Josh Green called it 'an enormous storm,' while tropical storm winds up to 220 miles out are expected to hit Oahu and Kauai by Sunday morning.

Hurricane Lala strengthens into Category 1 storm as it barrels toward Hawaii; Big Island residents brace for heavy rain and wind
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The National Hurricane Center reported maximum sustained winds of 120 km/h, making Lala a Category 1 hurricane. On the Big Island, 10 per cent of customers lost power, and lifelong resident Bobby Camara, 75, plans to hunker down, saying, "You learn to be self-reliant."

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Hurricane Lala strengthens to Category 1, bears down on Hawaii's Big Island with heavy rain and dangerous winds; governor urges shelter in place
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Hurricane Lala strengthens to Category 1, bears down on Hawaii's Big Island with heavy rain and dangerous winds; governor urges shelter in place

The eyewall is forecast to move over the island's southern end by evening, lashing volcanic slopes with winds. Forecasters warn of up to 63.5 centimetres of rain at higher elevations, risking life-threatening mudslides, while nearly 20 per cent of Big Island customers have lost power.

Tropical Storm Lala nears Hawaii, forecast to strengthen into Category 1 hurricane; National Hurricane Center issues warning for Big Island as heavy rain and hurricane-force winds lash the island
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Tropical Storm Lala nears Hawaii, forecast to strengthen into Category 1 hurricane; National Hurricane Center issues warning for Big Island as heavy rain and hurricane-force winds lash the island

The Big Island has not suffered a direct hurricane landfall in 155 years, and the National Hurricane Center predicts 8 to 12 inches of rain across Maui and lower elevations, with up to 25 inches in higher areas. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi urged residents to finish preparations Friday, saying, "Don't wait for the weather to deteriorate."

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