Hurricane warning remains for Hawaiʻi Island as Tropical Storm Lala approaches

A hurricane warning remained in effect for Hawaiʻi Island Friday as Tropical Storm Lala approached, with hurricane-warning conditions expected from 6 p.m. Friday, August 14, through 6 a.m. Sunday, August 16.

The National Weather Service Honolulu’s latest warning message was issued at 5:02 a.m. HST Friday. Its island-specific forecast lists communities and areas including Hilo, Pāhoa, Volcano, Kailua-Kona, Captain Cook, Miloliʻi, Nāʻālehu, Pāhala, Hawaiian Ocean View Estates, Kamuela, Hawī and Honokaʻa.

Residents should complete storm preparations before Friday evening. The exact impacts remain dependent on Lala’s track, size and intensity, and conditions can change quickly.

Wind risk is highest in southern and western areas

The forecast varies substantially across Hawaiʻi Island. In the Kona area, including Kailua-Kona, Captain Cook and Miloliʻi, peak winds could reach 55 to 70 mph, with gusts up to 85 mph. The weather service said the area faces the potential for winds equivalent to Category 1 or 2 hurricane force if the storm’s track or intensity produces the higher end of the forecast.

In southeastern communities including Nāʻālehu and Pāhala, peak winds are forecast at 55 to 70 mph, with gusts up to 90 mph. Hawaiian Ocean View Estates is forecast to see peak winds of 45 to 55 mph, with gusts also reaching 90 mph.

East Hawaiʻi, including Hilo, Pāhoa and Volcano, has a lower peak-wind forecast of 35 to 45 mph, with gusts up to 65 mph. Northern areas including Kamuela, Hawī and Honokaʻa have the same 35- to 45-mph peak-wind forecast, with gusts up to 65 mph. These forecasts describe expected or potential impacts, not confirmed damage or hurricane-force winds in every community.

The weather service warns that strong winds could bring down trees, scatter debris, block roads and damage buildings. Power and communications outages are possible, particularly where utility lines are above ground.

Flooding may be the most serious danger

A flood watch is in effect for the affected Hawaiʻi Island areas. Hilo and the east-side forecast area could receive an additional 10 to 15 inches of rain, with locally higher totals. Southern Hawaiʻi Island could receive 8 to 12 inches, also with higher amounts in some locations. The Kona area is forecast to receive 1 to 3 inches, with locally higher amounts.

Heavy rain could rapidly raise rivers and streams, overwhelm drainage systems and cover roads, bridges and escape routes. Mountain runoff could increase the risk of rockslides and mudslides. The weather service says major flooding could lead to evacuations, rescues and road or bridge closures.

Residents should never drive through floodwater or attempt to cross moving water. A road that appears passable can conceal a washed-out surface, deep channel or fast-moving current.

The warning statement also says conditions are somewhat favorable for a few tornadoes. Anyone under a tornado warning should move quickly to a safe shelter.

Coastal areas face surge, surf and rip currents

Localized storm-surge flooding is possible along vulnerable shorelines and low-lying areas. The forecast calls for potential inundation of 1 to 3 feet above ground in surge-prone parts of southeastern and eastern Hawaiʻi Island, and up to 2 feet in the Kona and south Hawaiʻi Island areas.

The greatest concern is near shorelines, low-lying roads, parking areas and other places where water can move inland. The weather service also warns of beach erosion, dangerous surf, strong rip currents and possible flooding along coastal routes. Marinas, docks, piers and other waterfront structures could be damaged.

Mariners should remain in port and secure vessels before conditions deteriorate. Residents and visitors should stay away from beaches and coastal waters while rough surf and rip-current conditions persist.

What residents should do now

Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency guidance advises residents to clear gutters and drains, raise valuables off the floor, secure patio furniture and plants, cover windows and glass doors, and remove dead, damaged or overhanging branches that could threaten buildings or vehicles.

Households should prepare a safe place to shelter and stock food, water, medicines, flashlights, batteries, a radio and backup power. Residents should be prepared to operate without electricity if high winds interrupt power service, and should keep phones and other essential devices charged while service remains available.

People in low-lying coastal areas should be ready to leave if local officials issue an evacuation order. Residents should move to safe shelter before winds become hazardous instead of waiting until roads or bridges are blocked.

Where to get official updates

HIEMA says shelters will be listed as they open, so residents should check the agency’s Tropical Storm Lala page and current Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense updates rather than rely on an old shelter list. HIEMA lists the Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense telephone number as 808-935-0031 and provides links for county alerts, shelter information and emergency radio resources.

The National Weather Service Honolulu forecast office is the primary source for updated watches, warnings, flood information, radar and marine conditions. Residents should also monitor official county emergency alerts and follow any evacuation or shelter instructions issued during the storm.

The Associated Press reported Thursday that Lala was expected to strengthen while approaching the Big Island and could bring heavy rain, flooding, high winds and dangerous surf. The newer local National Weather Service statement provides the current Hawaiʻi Island-specific forecast. No confirmed damage is described in the sources used for this report.

Sources

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