- The National Hurricane Center issued a rare hurricane warning for the island, where it would be the first to make landfall in 155 years.
- Tropical storm force winds extended outward for as much as 220 miles (350 km), and were expected to hit the islands of Oahu and Kauai by Sunday morning.
- A hurricane warning was issued for the Big Island, and a tropical storm warning was in effect for Maui County, which includes the islands of Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kahoolawe.
- Forecasters said higher elevations could get as much as 25 inches (63.5 centimeters) of rain, which could cause life-threatening mudslides in a mountainous area where people live off the grid in improvised housing, and authorities urged them to find safe shelters quickly.
- Gov. Josh Green said, “This is an enormous storm.”
- Hawaii's Big Island was lashed by rain and wind as Tropical Storm Lala closed in.
Tropical Storm Lala is currently impacting Hawaii's Big Island, with forecasts indicating it may strengthen into a hurricane. The National Hurricane Center has issued a rare hurricane warning, marking the first landfall threat in 155 years.13
As Lala approaches, forecasters predict that higher elevations could receive up to 25 inches (63.5 centimeters) of rain, raising the risk of life-threatening mudslides in areas where residents live off the grid. Authorities are urging these individuals to seek safe shelters quickly.45
Governor Josh Green described the storm as “an enormous storm,” highlighting the seriousness of the situation. Tropical storm force winds are extending outward for as much as 220 miles (350 km), with impacts expected to reach the islands of Oahu and Kauai by Sunday morning. The latest forecasts suggest Lala will strike “very close to the southern tip of the Big Island,” according to Vanessa Almanza, a meteorologist with the weather service in Honolulu.2
This unprecedented weather event underscores the vulnerability of Hawaii's infrastructure and the need for residents to prepare for severe conditions as the storm progresses.
“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.”
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