<p>Hawaii’s Big Island was lashed with heavy rain and strong winds as Hurricane Lala strengthened to a Category 1 storm on Saturday (Aug 15). Forecasters have warned that days of torrential rain could turn roads and steep slopes dangerous. The storm had maximum sustained winds of 75 miles per hour (120 kmph) after intensifying around 9 am local time. Hawaii County was under a hurricane warning, while tropical storm warnings were also issued in Maui, Molokai, Kahoolawe, Lanai, Oahu, Kauai and Niihau.</p><p>The storm was expected to bring 10 to 20 inches (25 to 50 cm) of rainfall across parts of the Big Island, with the possibility of totals reaching as much as 25 inches. “This rainfall will produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain,” the US National Hurricane Center said.</p><p>More than 40,000 residents were without power by Saturday afternoon as “damaging winds and heavy rain” swept across the Big Island. Lala was also expected to generate a storm surge of one to three feet. Large waves, strong swells and dangerous rip currents were forecast to make coastal areas hazardous through the weekend.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hurricane Lala is hammering the Big Island with sustained winds up to 75 mph. <br><br>Some areas are looking at as much as 25 inches of rain. Flash flood warnings remain in effect. <br><br>South side is seeing 20–30-foot surf that is not remotely surfable. Stay safe out there. <a href="https://t.co/ptoY8Y5m23">pic.twitter.com/ptoY8Y5m23</a></p>&mdash; Kim &quot;Katie&quot; USA (@KimKatieUSA) <a href="https://x.com/KimKatieUSA/status/2088767924077236397?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨🇺🇸 Hawaii&#39;s Big Island is getting HAMMERED by Hurricane Lala<br><br>Hurricane Lala is sitting on Hawaii as a Category 1 with 75 mph sustained winds, and some spots have already picked up more than a foot of rain with up to 25 inches possible at higher elevations.<br><br>Downed trees and…</p>&mdash; Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) <a href="https://x.com/MarioNawfal/status/2088811780638175579?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It&#39;s happening. Hurricane Lala is currently producing SNOW on the summit of Mauna Kea <a href="https://t.co/kwz1RNm0Yl">pic.twitter.com/kwz1RNm0Yl</a></p>&mdash; Greg Diamond (@gdimeweather) <a href="https://x.com/gdimeweather/status/2088791430982479875?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2><strong>Hawaii declares state of emergency</strong></h2><p>Governor Josh Green declared a state of emergency as Hawaii prepared for the storm’s impact. “It’s a serious storm,” Green warned, adding that measures were being taken to ensure Hawaii and its counties “have sufficient resources to clear debris, secure infrastructure, and take other measures to prepare.”</p><p>Emergency officials advised people to clear gutters and drains, move valuables off the ground, secure doors and remove dangerous tree limbs.</p><p><strong>Also read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/could-a-video-gamer-be-in-charge-of-your-next-flight-faa-hires-2-000-players-as-air-traffic-controllers-1786611162131"><strong>Could a video gamer be in charge of your next flight? FAA hires 2,000 players as air traffic controllers</strong></a></p><h2><strong>Powerful El Nino adds to weather concerns</strong></h2><p>Hurricane Lala arrives as a powerful El Nino develops in the central equatorial Pacific. NOAA estimates a 69 per cent chance that the event could become stronger than previous El Nino episodes recorded since 1950 when it peaks between October and December. El Nino generally promotes hurricane activity in the Pacific. Warmer oceans and a warmer atmosphere can also provide more moisture and energy for extreme rainfall, while climate change can amplify some of these impacts.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

Hurricane Lala strengthened to Category 1 as it battered Hawaii’s Big Island with 75 mph winds and heavy rain, leaving over 40,000 without power amid warnings of floods and mudslides.

Hawaii’s Big Island was lashed with heavy rain and strong winds as Hurricane Lala strengthened to a Category 1 storm on Saturday (Aug 15). Forecasters have warned that days of torrential rain could turn roads and steep slopes dangerous. The storm had maximum sustained winds of 75 miles per hour (120 kmph) after intensifying around 9 am local time. Hawaii County was under a hurricane warning, while tropical storm warnings were also issued in Maui, Molokai, Kahoolawe, Lanai, Oahu, Kauai and Niihau. The storm was expected to bring 10 to 20 inches (25 to 50 cm) of rainfall across parts of the Big Island, with the possibility of totals reaching as much as 25 inches. “This rainfall will produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain,” the US National Hurricane Center said. More than 40,000 residents were without power by Saturday afternoon as “damaging winds and heavy rain” swept across the Big Island. Lala was also expected to generate a storm surge of one to three feet. Large waves, strong swells and dangerous rip currents were forecast to make coastal areas hazardous through the weekend.

<p>Hurricane Lala strengthened to Category 1 as it battered Hawaii’s Big Island with 75 mph winds and heavy rain, leaving over 40,000 without power amid warnings of floods and mudslides.</p>

Hurricane Lala batters Hawaii: Over 40,000 left without power as storm strengthens to Category 1, one dead

Hawaii is bracing for Tropical Storm Lala as the storm approaches the Big Island, raising concerns over strong winds, heavy rainfall, flooding and dangerous coastal conditions. Authorities and residents are closely monitoring the storm’s path as preparations intensify across affected areas.

Stay tuned to WION for the latest updates, weather alerts, storm developments and live coverage from Hawaii.

Hawaii Braces as Tropical Storm Lala Approaches Big Island

tropical-storm-lala

Tropical Storm Lala, News on Tropical Storm Lala, stories on Tropical Storm Lala, articles on Tropical Storm Lala, Tropical Storm Lala stories at Wion, Tropical Storm Lala news, Tropical Storm Lala latest news

tropical storm-lala

Hurricane Lala batters Hawaii: Over 40,000 left without power as storm strengthens to Category 1, one dead

Hawaii Braces as Tropical Storm Lala Approaches Big Island