Hurricane Lala is about 300 miles from the Big Island, moving south of Kauaʻi as the system weakens and begins to shift west, according to the National Hurricane Center’s 11 a.m. Sunday advisory.
Streams remain elevated across Hawaiʻi Island, and additional bands of moderate rain are expected to taper off soon. Lala’s sustained winds have decreased to 65 mph. The storm is moving northwest at 16 mph and is expected to turn westward soon, then continue on a westward track through Tuesday night.
Hurricane Lala outlook and island impacts
Forecasters say the center of the storm will pass south of Kauaʻi County today, then track south of the easternmost Northwestern Hawaiian Islands early this week. Heavy rainfall and gusty winds are ongoing over parts of Maui and Oʻahu, with conditions deteriorating over Kauaʻi County.
On the Big Island, local law enforcement reported two homes were swept away in Nāʻālehu overnight due to intense rainfall. Numerous roads remain closed islandwide and crews are responding to outages and debris. The high surf advisory for the Big Island has been canceled.
Lingering risks after Hurricane Lala
Officials noted that spring’s severe weather, including kona lows in March, left some residents with compromised water sources and destabilized roofs. Large underground voids may still exist in parts of the island, especially in the south, increasing vulnerability to flooding and erosion.
Hawaiʻi County Mayor Kimo Alameda, speaking during an online briefing, said the island has not experienced a direct hurricane strike since 1871, a span of 155 years.
For the latest watches, warnings and local forecasts, visit the National Weather Service Honolulu forecast office website.
For more on how the storm evolved earlier this week, see Tropical Storm Lala to strengthen near Hawaiʻi Island.
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