Hurricane Lala Skirts Big Island, Killing One Amid Flooding

Hurricane Lala brushed past Hawaii's Big Island on Saturday without making landfall yet still unleashed heavy rains and strong winds that knocked out power to more than 40,000 customers and triggered dangerous flooding across the state. The storm strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane with sustained winds reaching 75 miles per hour before peaking near 91 miles per hour as it passed within 30 miles of South Point.

Officials reported one death in a weather-related car accident on the Big Island while roads became impassable in multiple areas due to fast-moving floodwaters. Governor Josh Green urged residents to stay off the roads and described the volume of water as extraordinary. The National Hurricane Center issued warnings of life-threatening conditions including flash floods and mudslides with rainfall totals projected at 10 to 20 inches on the Big Island and up to 25 inches in some spots.

Power outages struck hardest on the Big Island where more than 31,000 customers lost service according to poweroutage.com data. Maui County recorded over 7,000 affected customers. Hawaiian Electric said crews were assessing damage along a 42-mile stretch of transmission lines on the Hamakua Coast after fallen trees downed multiple poles. The company warned that some outages could last overnight or longer as the system moves west.

The storm's eye wall passed close enough to the southern portion of the Big Island to bring damaging winds and heavy rain through the night. Tropical storm warnings remained in effect for Maui Molokai Lanai Kahoolawe Oahu Kauai and Niihau as the system tracked westward. Forecasters noted that the core would stay south of the main islands through the early part of next week with a gradual westward turn and increase in forward speed expected on Sunday.

Local videos from the Hawaii Department of Transportation showed submerged roadways and blocked routes in several communities. Residents in rural areas described relentless sideways rain that turned rivers into raging torrents and left coastal zones battered by large waves. The Big Island with its population of roughly 210,000 saw the most immediate effects though officials stressed that flood risks and high-elevation wind gusts would continue into Sunday across higher terrain.

National Weather Service meteorologist Joseph Clark said fears of the first direct hurricane landfall on the island in 155 years had eased yet the threat of persistent hazards remained real. The system is forecast to weaken gradually while still producing hazardous surf and the potential for additional mudslides in steep areas. Utility crews continued assessments into the evening as Hawaiian Electric prepared for extended restoration work in hard-hit zones.

Communities across the islands braced for further impacts as the storm lingered nearby with warnings that heavy rainfall could produce life-threatening flooding well into the following day.