Hawaii Braces for 75-mph Hurricane Lala as Big Island Faces Up to 25 Inches of Rain
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Aug 15
Hawaii Braces for 75-mph Hurricane Lala as Big Island Faces Up to 25 Inches of Rain
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Aug 15
Summary
Category 1 Lala strengthened to a 75-mph hurricane Saturday and could make landfall or pass just south of Hawaii's Big Island later in the day.
Up to 25 inches of rain and a 3-foot storm surge are forecast in the worst-hit areas, with officials warning of life-threatening flooding, mudslides, evacuations and rescues.
A hurricane warning covers the Big Island, while Maui County, Oahu, Kauai and Niihau remain under tropical storm warnings as public shelters open across the island.
Flight disruptions have already spread: 40% of departures were canceled at Kona International and 80% at Hilo International, according to FlightAware.
The storm could become Hawaii's first direct hurricane hit since Iniki in 1992, though forecasters expect Lala to weaken as it tracks west past the rest of the island chain.