Hawaii: Hurricane Lala causes torrential rains and widespread power outages

Hurricane Lala is hitting Hawaii with torrential rain and strong winds, raising fears of particularly dangerous flooding and mudslides. The storm strengthened on Saturday, reaching Category 1 status with gusts of up to 120 km/h (75 mph). Even before it fully made landfall, more than 40,000 homes were already without power due to the initial storms. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation on the Big Island, home to approximately 210,000 people.

A hurricane warning has been issued for Hawaii County, which covers the Big Island, while a tropical storm warning is in effect for Maui, Molokai, Kahoolawe, Lanai, Oahu, Kauai, and Niihau. Forecasters are expecting 25 to 50 centimeters of rainfall on the Big Island, with accumulations potentially exceeding 60 centimeters in some areas. The U.S. National Hurricane Center is warning of flash flooding, landslides, and potentially deadly mudslides, especially in rugged terrain.

A state of emergency has been declared in the archipelago.

Governor Josh Green declared a state of emergency on Thursday to facilitate the mobilization of emergency services and quickly make resources available in case of destruction. He asked residents to secure their homes, prepare essential supplies, review their family emergency plans, and strictly follow instructions issued by authorities. Heavy rain bands had already reached the coast by Saturday afternoon, as residents braced for potentially worsening weather conditions.

The arrival of a hurricane in Hawaii remains a rare event. If Lala makes landfall, it would become only the third recorded hurricane to hit the archipelago in modern history, after Dot in 1959 and Iniki in 1992, which caused six deaths and several billion dollars in damage. The hurricane season could be particularly active this year due to a powerful El Niño phenomenon, which warms the waters of the equatorial Pacific. Scientists also point out that climate change is contributing to the intensification of many extreme weather events.