Hurricane Lala formed Saturday on a path to make a rare landfall on Hawaii’s Big Island. The National Hurricane Center said Lala’s maximum sustained winds increased to 75 mph, making it a Category 1 hurricane.
Preparations Underway
Residents are preparing for the storm, with shelters opening and events being canceled. Ranchers are urged to leave their cattle in pastures rather than structures that might collapse.
The hurricane center predicted 8 to 12 inches of total rainfall across Maui and the lower elevations of the Big Island, and 4 to 6 inches across the island chain. The center also warned that the storm could cause life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain.
State Rep. Jeanné Kapela urged people to remain alert, particularly those living in remote and rural areas. Many Hawaiians are still dealing with the aftermath of devastating flooding in March, and growers are worried about suffering more damage.
Wildfire risks increase during windy weather, and officials are warning of the potential for destructive flooding and wildfires across the island chain.
Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.
