Hawaii braces for hurricane Lala in potential first direct hit
Hawaii faces category one hurricane Lala packing 75mph winds, threatening Big Island with up to 25 inches of rain and severe flooding.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Category one hurricane Lala approaches Hawaii with 75mph (120km/h) sustained winds.
- The storm could mark Hawaii's first direct hurricane landfall since Iniki in 1992.
- Hurricane and tropical storm warnings are active across multiple islands and counties.
- Major airports on Big Island report extensive flight cancellations amid severe weather.
The US state of Hawaii is rushing preparations for what could be its first direct hurricane impact in decades. Category one storm Lala has strengthened off the coast, carrying winds of 75 miles per hour, equivalent to 120 kilometers per hour, after gaining hurricane force over the weekend.
Meteorologists warn that in the most severe projections, the storm could dump as much as 25 inches, or 63 centimeters, of rain on Big Island while generating a three-foot storm surge. The system is expected to approach or make landfall near the southern tip of Big Island before moving westward.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
A hurricane warning remains in effect for Big Island, while Maui County, Oahu, Kauai, and Niihau are placed under tropical storm warnings. Public officials have strongly urged residents to brace for life-threatening conditions, including severe flash floods and destructive mudslides as the weather deteriorates.
"Damaging winds, heavy rain, flash flooding and dangerous surf are possible across the state through the weekend."
Josh Green, Hawaii Governor
Hawaii Governor Josh Green cautioned residents to prepare for an extraordinary volume of water over the weekend. Transportation has also faced major disruptions, with Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport grounding 40 percent of its flights, and Hilo International Airport calling off 80 percent of its scheduled services according to flight tracking data.
Direct hurricane landfalls in Hawaii are historically rare because surrounding cooler ocean waters and wind shear usually weaken incoming tropical systems. The last major hurricane to strike the islands was category four storm Iniki in 1992, which caused significant casualties and billions in damages on Kauai. The arrival of hurricane Lala highlights ongoing discussions regarding how warming global sea temperatures driven by climate patterns can influence tropical storm intensity.
Source: BBC Science & Environment
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