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Hawaii Declares Emergency as Lala Nears
16 Aug
Summary
- Hurricane Lala hit Hawaii's Big Island with heavy rain and winds.
- A state of emergency was declared to prepare for the storm.
- Historic El Nino conditions may amplify storm impacts.
Hurricane Lala made landfall on Hawaii's Big Island on Saturday, unleashing torrential rains and powerful winds. Forecasters issued warnings for potentially hazardous flooding across the US Pacific island state.
Lala intensified into a Category 1 hurricane, carrying winds up to 75 miles per hour. A hurricane warning was issued for Hawaii County, while tropical storm warnings covered the state's other major islands. Significant rainfall totals were anticipated for the Big Island, with predictions of life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in terrain-prone areas.
Governor Josh Green proclaimed a state of emergency, ensuring Hawaii and its counties have resources for debris removal and infrastructure security. This event occurs amidst a powerful El Nino in the central equatorial Pacific Ocean, with temperatures so high that a historic event exceeding previous El Ninos since 1950 is anticipated. Climate change may further amplify El Nino's effects on extreme weather.
