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Hawaii under state of emergency ahead of historic hurricane
dw.com • • general
Key Points:
- Tropical Storm Lala is expected to strengthen into a hurricane by Saturday as it approaches Hawaii's Big Island, prompting a state of emergency declaration by Governor Josh Green.
- A hurricane warning is in effect for Hawaii County, with tropical storm warnings for Maui, Molokai, and Kahoolawe; this could be the first hurricane to hit the Big Island since 1871.
- The storm is forecasted to bring heavy rainfall (8-12 inches, up to 25 inches locally), strong winds, dangerous surf, flooding, and mudslides, especially in steep terrain areas.
- Authorities have set up shelters and urged residents to prepare early, emphasizing that significant damage can occur even without direct landfall due to storm-related hazards.
- The current El Niño climate pattern is contributing to the storm's intensity, with NOAA predicting a potentially historic event that could increase Pacific hurricane activity.
