Residents of Hawaii’s Big Island are bracing for a new round of heavy rain and strong winds, even as they continue to clean up after Hurricane Lala, which struck the islands last weekend. The National Weather Service in Honolulu says the system, currently a tropical depression, is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm by Friday and bring its heaviest impacts to the island late Saturday.
Forecast details and expected impacts
According to meteorologist Casey Oswant, the storm will move west across the islands through early Tuesday. The windward and southeast sides of the Big Island are likely to see the greatest effects, though the overall impact should be less severe than Lala’s. Rainfall forecasts for the weekend range from 5 to 10 inches (13 to 25 centimeters) on the southeast and windward coasts, with isolated amounts up to 15 inches (38 centimeters). The rest of the archipelago is expected to receive 1 to 2 inches (2 to 5 centimeters), while parts of east Maui could see up to 4 inches (10 centimeters).
During Lala, the northeast coast of the Big Island recorded a record 43.54 inches (1.1 meters) of rain, flooding dozens of homes, damaging roads and bridges, and leaving more than 11,600 customers without power. The Hawaiian Electric utility expects power to be restored to nearly all affected customers, though some remote and severely damaged areas may remain without service longer.
Safety warnings and preparedness
The National Hurricane Center warns that the upcoming rain could trigger dangerous rip currents, life‑threatening flooding, and mudslides, especially in steep terrain still saturated from Lala’s rains. No coastal watches or warnings are in effect as of Friday morning, but officials urge residents to monitor the storm closely.
Governor Josh Green and state officials held a news conference Thursday to update recovery efforts and remind citizens to prepare. Residents are advised to stock up on at least 14 days of food, medicine, and other essentials, and to keep emergency kits ready.
Community response
Local voices express a mix of concern and resolve. “There’s definitely tension in the air,” said Tiffany Edwards Hunt, a teacher living in Keaau on the island’s east side. “Some areas were completely washed out, and we’re still dealing with the aftermath of Lala.”
Emergency management agencies continue to assess damage and coordinate cleanup, while volunteers and local churches are mobilizing resources to help families whose homes were swept from their foundations.
What’s next?
The storm is expected to move westward across the islands, bringing additional rain through early Tuesday before weakening. Residents should stay informed through local news outlets, the National Weather Service, and official state communications.
As the community works to recover from Lala’s devastation, the upcoming weather system serves as a reminder of the importance of preparedness, resilient infrastructure, and neighborly support in the face of natural hazards.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
