Hawaii is facing the possibility of another tropical cyclone this weekend as it continues to recover from Hurricane Lala, which caused significant damage across the islands.
Forecasters are monitoring a tropical depression located southeast of the Hawaiian Islands that could develop into a tropical storm by Thursday. The National Weather Service's Central Pacific Hurricane Center predicts this system may pass near or south of the Big Island this weekend, potentially bringing up to 15 inches of rain and the risk of life-threatening flooding, mudslides, and rip currents.
Hurricane Lala, which reached Category 3 strength, caused widespread destruction, including roofs being torn off homes, trees uprooted, and roads blocked by mud and debris. As of Thursday, nearly 15,000 homes and businesses remained without power, primarily on the Big Island. Hawaiian Electric estimates that repairs in heavily damaged areas could take at least two weeks.
Two deaths have been attributed to Hurricane Lala. The body of a man in his 60s was found Tuesday in a pasture, and 93-year-old May Doi was discovered Monday after reportedly trying to escape floodwaters in her home.
Lala brought extreme rainfall to the Big Island, with 43.54 inches recorded in Laupahoehoe. The storm's path also led to damaged bridges and a road collapse that cut off access to the community of Pahala. While Lala has moved northwest of the main islands, it was expected to track north toward a remote area within the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. Hurricane warnings have been issued for parts of this protected area.
A charter boat with 16 crew members engaged in marine plastic removal in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands was able to move out of the storm's projected path earlier this week, according to the nonprofit Papahanaumokuakea Marine Debris Project.