- Lala was downgraded from a hurricane to a tropical storm early Sunday, but the National Hurricane Center warned it could become a hurricane again by Wednesday.
- Storm Lala damages more than 100 homes and several bridges on Hawaii's Big Island.
- Governor Green estimated the storm caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damage statewide.
- Officials are investigating possible storm-related deaths; emergency director warns of post-storm dangers.
- Randy Collins, Hawaii’s emergency management director, warned of post-storm dangers: “Many casualties often happen after the disaster.”
- Parts of a major highway in the Big Island’s south-east collapsed, blocking road access to the town of Pahala, which has the region’s only hospital.
- US Representative Jeanne Kapela described the devastation: “It’s complete and utter devastation.”
- On Oahu, the Honolulu fire department received more than 600 weather-related responses by noon Sunday.
Tropical Storm Lala has wreaked havoc on Hawaii's Big Island, damaging over 100 homes and several bridges, with Governor Josh Green estimating the storm's impact at hundreds of millions of dollars.123
Lala, which was downgraded from a hurricane, brought heavy rains and winds strong enough to displace homes from their foundations.
Green expressed concern over potential storm-related fatalities, stating, “We’re praying that there are essentially no fatalities. The question is a difficult one to answer in some ways,” as officials continue to investigate.4
Emergency management director Randy Collins cautioned that dangers persist post-storm, noting, “Many casualties often happen after the disaster.” He highlighted risks associated with cleanup efforts involving heavy equipment and downed power lines.5
The storm also caused significant infrastructure damage, with parts of a major highway collapsing, blocking access to the town of Pahala, which houses the region's only hospital.6
On Oahu, the Honolulu fire department reported over 600 weather-related responses, including 147 downed trees and multiple instances of roofs blown off.8
As Lala may re-strengthen into a hurricane by Wednesday, officials remain vigilant about the ongoing risks to the community.
“Governor Josh Green estimated hundreds of millions of dollars in damage statewide, with a major highway collapse blocking access to Pahala's only hospital. The Honolulu fire department fielded over 600 weather-related calls by Sunday noon, including 147 downed trees.”
The Guardian
