Hurricane Lala has claimed at least one life in Hawaii following a storm-related car accident as the Category 1 hurricane brought severe winds and torrential rain to the Big Island. The storm is currently moving northwest past the Hawaiian Islands without making landfall, but has caused treacherous conditions including flash floods and widespread power outages.
Governor Josh Green confirmed the death Saturday evening as a flash flood emergency was issued for the Big Island. Powerful winds have impacted the region, knocking out power to nearly 70 percent of the Big Island's approximately 210,000 residents. The Wailuku River near Hilo reached its sixth-highest level on record due to the heavy rainfall.
The National Hurricane Center reported that the heaviest rainfall has dumped between 15 to 17 inches across windward Maui and the Big Island. This rainfall could continue into Sunday, potentially leading to further flooding and mudslides, with powerful waves also pounding the coast.
Tropical storm warnings remain in effect for Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Oahu, Kauai, and Niihau as Hurricane Lala continues its westward path. The storm was packing 75 mph winds as it moved toward Oahu and Kauai on Sunday.
