- Tropical Storm Lala continued to bring damaging winds and heavy rains on Sunday after skirting past Hawaii's Big Island as a hurricane overnight.
- Powerful waves pounded the Big Island's coast as Lala slowly passed by, and howling winds whipped palm trees and waterways swelled with fast-moving runoff from relentless rain that blew nearly sideways.
- The weather system weakened back to a tropical storm as it continued moving west, while remaining south of the smaller main Hawaiian Islands on Sunday.
- Forecasters with the National Hurricane Center said the storm is expected to weaken throughout the day into Monday but will still pack a punch.
Tropical Storm Lala continued to wreak havoc on Hawaii's Big Island on Sunday, bringing damaging winds and heavy rain after skirting past as a hurricane. The storm, which has already claimed at least one life, is expected to weaken but remain dangerous.1
Officials reported that one person died in a car accident at the southernmost point of the Big Island, as the storm's effects were felt across the region. Powerful waves battered the coastline, while howling winds whipped palm trees and caused waterways to swell with fast-moving runoff from relentless rain.23
The National Hurricane Center noted that Lala's eyewall, which includes the most intense winds and thunderstorms, brushed the southern portion of the Big Island. Although the storm has weakened back to a tropical storm, it continues to pose risks as it moves west, remaining south of the smaller main Hawaiian Islands.45
Hawaii Governor Josh Green urged residents to stay safe, stating, "Please be safe. You definitely want to be home, do not be out on the roads," in a social media video. The last hurricane to make direct landfall in Hawaii was Hurricane Iniki in 1992, highlighting the rarity of such storms impacting the state directly.
“Powerful waves pounded the Big Island's coast as Lala slowly passed by, with howling winds whipping palm trees and waterways swelling with fast-moving runoff from relentless rain that blew nearly sideways. The system weakened back to a tropical storm as it moved west, remaining south of the smaller main Hawaiian Islands on Sunday.”
