Hurricane Lala threatened Hawaii’s Big Island over the weekend, aiming for a potential direct hit, marking the first hurricane landfall in 155 years for the island. The National Hurricane Center reported that Lala had intensified to a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds reaching 120 km/h. The eyewall was expected to pass over or near the southern end of the island, bringing strong winds to the volcanic slopes thousands of feet above sea level.
Meteorologists predicted significant rainfall, with higher elevations, particularly around the Mauna Kea volcano, possibly receiving up to 63.5 centimeters of rain. This raised concerns for life-threatening mudslides in mountainous regions where residents live in makeshift dwellings off the grid. Authorities advised those in vulnerable areas to seek safe shelter promptly.
Residents like Bobby Camara, a 75-year-old resident of the Big Island, prepared for the storm by ensuring supplies and fuel for chainsaws and vehicles. Governor Josh Green warned of potential destructive flooding and wildfires due to the strong winds across the island chain. Power outages affected 10% of customers on the Big Island, according to poweroutage.us.
The Hurricane Center issued a hurricane warning for the Big Island and tropical storm warnings for several other islands in the region. Vanessa Almanza, a National Weather Service meteorologist, indicated that Lala was forecasted to make landfall very close to the southern tip of the Big Island.
Precautionary measures were taken, including the opening of shelters, cancellation of events, and advice for ranchers to leave cattle in pastures instead of structures prone to collapse. Officials emphasized the seriousness of the storm and urged residents to stay vigilant, especially those living in remote rural areas.
As the storm approached, concerns also rose about wildfire risks due to dry and breezy conditions outside the storm. The potential impacts of Hurricane Lala on agriculture and communities, especially those still recovering from previous disasters, were a cause for apprehension among residents.
The history of past hurricanes in the region, such as Hurricane Iniki in 1992, served as a reminder of the potential devastation that can be caused by such natural disasters. Residents were advised to stay informed and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety and well-being.
