Hawaii braces as Lala strengthens to a Category 1 hurricane

Tropical Storm Lala has strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane as it continues to track through the central Pacific Ocean, approaching the Big Island of Hawaii on Saturday.

Lala has maximum sustained winds of 75 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. It is moving to the northwest at 8 mph, and the center is currently located about 65 miles south-southeast of South Point, Hawaii, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Hawaii County — the Big Island — remains under a hurricane warning, according to the NHC.

Tropical storm warnings remain up for Maui, Oahu and Kauai Counties. These include the islands of Maui, Lanai, Molokai, Kahoolawe, Kauai and Niihau.

A flash flood warning has been issued for much of the Big Island, including the Hilo area, as bands of heavy rain move across the region.

Flood watches are also in effect across the Hawaiian Islands for heavy rain that will continue ramping up on Saturday.

As of 6 p.m. ET, nearly 24,000 customers across Hawaii were without power, including 18,000 people on the Big Island, according to Hawaiian Electric.

The power company said residents should plan for possible extended outages, pointing to wind gusts of upward of 60 mph. The power company said trees and debris blown into power liens was the primary cause of the current outages.

Over 200 flights were canceled on Saturday across Hawaii as Lala approaches, according to FlightAware. Norwegian Cruise Line said some of its cruise itineraries will be impacted.

Hawaii braces for storm

At a press briefing on Friday, Hawaii officials urged residents to prepare for heavy rain, damaging winds and flooding.

«This is a serious moment,» Gov. Josh Green said Friday during the briefing with state, county and federal emergency officials.

About 180 Hawaii National Guard members were activated and positioned across the state to support rescue operations. High-water vehicles were also placed in each county, and additional military and federal resources were available if needed.

Green signed an emergency proclamation allowing the state to quickly use resources from a $100 million disaster fund.

Schools and state education offices on Hawaii Island, Maui, Lanai and Molokai were closing for the weekend, with events canceled.

Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda said shelters would be open and would accept pets. Beaches, parks, landfills and transfer stations were closing through Saturday, and mass transit service was being suspended.

Latest forecast

Lala will begin to interact with the Big Island’s high terrain and is forecasted to turn slightly north and track northwest to make a closer approach to the Big Island before turning back west and remaining south of the remaining Hawaiian islands.

A landfall is not currently guaranteed, as there’s still some wiggle room with Lala’s path. Regardless of whether Lala makes landfall or passes very close to the southern tip of the Big Island, the Hawaiian Islands will still see big impacts.

Torrential rain slamming parts of the Big Island could trigger life-threatening flash flooding, mudslides and landslides, especially across the areas with steep terrain.

Lala is forecasted to bring rainfall of 8 to 12 inches across eastern Maui and the Big Island, with the highest totals of 1-2 feet across the higher elevations of the Big Island, with isolated higher amounts possible. The remainder of the Hawaiian Islands are forecasted to receive 4 to 6 inches of rain on the eastern side and 2-4 inches on the western side of the islands.

Large and dangerous surf, especially on the Big Island, is also expected this weekend. The greatest impacts are expected along exposed windward and southern shores. The prolonged period of heavy surf may cause localized coastal flooding and significant beach erosion.