Hurricane Lala set its sights on Hawaii’s Big Island on Saturday, heading towards a potential landfall, marking the first direct hit by a hurricane in 155 years. The National Hurricane Center reported Lala’s maximum sustained winds at 120 km/h, classifying it as a Category 1 hurricane. The eyewall was projected to pass over or near the island’s southern tip by the evening, delivering its strongest winds to the volcanic slopes thousands of feet above sea level.
Meteorologists warned of significant rainfall, with higher elevations, particularly around the Mauna Kea volcano, expected to receive up to 63.5 centimeters of rain, posing a risk of life-threatening mudslides in areas where residents live in makeshift housing off the grid. Authorities advised swift relocation to safe shelters.
Local resident Bobby Camara, aged 75, expressed his preparedness, stating his plan to stay put and hope for uninterrupted power at a care facility near Hilo. Camara mentioned the bustling gas stations as people stocked up on fuel for chainsaws and vehicles, highlighting the community’s self-reliant nature.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green emphasized the severity of the storm, anticipating destructive flooding and the potential for wildfires sparked by strong winds across the island chain. Approximately 10% of customers on the Big Island suffered power outages, according to poweroutage.us.
Residents, such as Mike Caputo from Keaau, voiced concerns over flash flooding and fallen trees, particularly the albizia trees known for obstructing roads due to their large size and weak structure. Caputo, a local fire captain, ensured his trees were trimmed in anticipation of the storm.
The Big Island was under a hurricane warning, with tropical storm warnings issued for several other islands in the region. The latest forecast projected Lala to make landfall near the southern tip of the Big Island. Shelters were opened, events canceled, and ranchers advised to keep cattle in pastures to avoid potential structural collapses.
Officials stressed the importance of taking the storm seriously, especially in remote and rural areas like the island’s southern end, known for its agricultural activities and growing population. State Rep. Jeanné Kapela urged residents to seek safe accommodations if their homes were not hurricane-ready.
As winds intensified, concerns rose about wildfire risks due to dry and breezy conditions prevailing outside the storm. Memories of the 2023 Lahaina fire, sparked during extreme winds despite a distant hurricane, prompted increased vigilance among locals like Archie Kalepa.
Reflecting on past hurricanes, experts highlighted the potential devastation a storm could bring, recalling the $3 billion worth of damage caused by Hurricane Iniki in 1992 on Kauai. The unpredictability of storms underscored the need for constant vigilance and preparedness in the face of natural disasters.