Hurricane Watch Issued for Hawaii's Big Island as Lala Strengthens
Tropical Storm Lala officially formed Thursday morning southeast of Hawaii, and a Hurricane Watch is now in effect for the Big Island as forecasters warn the storm could reach hurricane strength before it arrives this weekend.
Lala Forms, Track Trends Slightly South of the Big Island
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Lala had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph as of Thursday morning, centered about 705 miles east-southeast of Hilo and moving west at 10 mph. Steady strengthening is forecast, and the storm could be near hurricane strength as it approaches the islands.
On the forecast track, Lala is expected to pass near or just south of the Big Island on Saturday, then track south of the smaller islands through the rest of the weekend. The NHC has issued a Hurricane Watch for Hawaii County, meaning hurricane conditions are possible there within the next 48 hours, with the earliest arrival expected by early Saturday. Tropical-storm-force winds extend up to 140 miles from the storm's center.
A direct hurricane landfall on the Big Island would be unprecedented. No hurricane has struck the island since at least 1900, and only two tropical storms, Darby in 2016 and Iselle in 2014, have made landfall there after weakening from hurricane strength over open water.
Flooding Rain, Rough Surf Already Building Ahead of the Storm
Rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches are expected across much of the island chain, with isolated totals as high as 20 inches possible through the weekend, raising the risk of life-threatening flash flooding and landslides in steep terrain. A storm surge of 1 to 3 feet is also expected along the Big Island.
Ahead of the storm's arrival, a High Surf Advisory is already in effect for south-facing shores of all islands through 6 a.m. Friday, with breaking waves of 8 to 12 feet. Swells from Lala are expected to build further through the weekend, bringing life-threatening surf and rip currents to east-facing shores as well.
Strong wind gusts capable of downing trees and knocking out power are possible across much of the island chain, with the greatest risk over higher terrain and mountain passes, where winds can run significantly stronger than at sea level.
What's Next
Hawaii County residents should finalize emergency preparations immediately given the Hurricane Watch, and residents statewide should prepare for the possibility of power outages lasting hours to several days. The NHC's next complete advisory will refine the storm's exact strength and path as it continues its approach through Friday and into the weekend.
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