Hurricane Lala is targeting Hawaii’s Big Island, potentially making landfall for the first time in 155 years. The National Hurricane Center reported Lala as a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds reaching 120 km/h. The eyewall is expected to pass over or near the island’s southern end, delivering its strongest winds to the volcanic slopes thousands of feet above sea level.
Forecasters anticipate significant rainfall, with higher elevations, particularly around the Mauna Kea volcano, potentially receiving up to 63.5 centimeters. This could lead to dangerous mudslides in mountainous areas where residents live in makeshift housing off the grid, prompting authorities to advise seeking safe shelter promptly.
Residents like Bobby Camara, a 75-year-old native of the Big Island, are preparing for the storm’s impact. Camara, residing at a care home near Hilo, expressed his readiness by stating, “I think stocking up is part of life over here… You learn to be self-reliant.” Hawaii Governor Josh Green labeled Lala as an “enormous storm,” warning of potential destructive flooding and wildfires sparked by strong winds across the island chain. Power outages affected 10% of customers on the Big Island.
Communities, including Keaau on the island’s east coast, are bracing for flash floods and fallen trees, particularly the albizia trees known for obstructing roads. Shelters have been opened, events canceled, and ranchers advised to keep cattle in pastures to avoid collapsing structures. Vanessa Almanza, a meteorologist from the National Weather Service, highlighted the potential impact of the storm even without direct landfall.
Officials urge residents to take the storm seriously, especially in remote and rural areas like the southern end of the Big Island, known for its coffee and cattle farming. Concerns also extend to those living off the grid. The increased fire risk during windy conditions outside the storm is a significant concern, with past incidents like the 2023 wildfire in Lahaina serving as a stark reminder of the potential dangers.
Reflecting on past devastating hurricanes like Iniki in 1992, which caused extensive damage on Kauai, experts emphasize the unpredictability and severity of such storms. The current El Niño year, affecting weather patterns globally, heightens the need for vigilance and preparedness in the face of natural disasters.
