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 and Concerns
Residents are preparing for potential destruction, with higher elevations on the island expected to receive up to 25 inches of rain, causing life-threatening mudslides. Authorities have urged people to find safe shelters quickly, especially those living off the grid in unpermitted structures.
State Rep. Jeanné Kapela expressed concerns about the southern end of the island, which is remote and rural, with many residents living in areas prone to flash flooding and fallen trees.
Tropical storm warnings have been issued for several islands, including Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Oahu, Kauai, and Niihau. The hurricane center predicted 8 to 12 inches of total rainfall across Maui and the lower elevations of the Big Island.
Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.
