Tropical Storm Lala is already bringing heavy rain and strong winds to Hawaii’s Big Island, with forecasters warning of life-threatening mudslides and flooding. The National Hurricane Center has issued a rare hurricane warning for the island, which could see up to 25 inches of rain in higher elevations.

Preparations Underway

State officials and residents are bracing for the storm, with shelters scheduled to open and various events canceled. Gov. Josh Green urged people to take the storm seriously, saying it has the potential to cause widespread destruction.

The storm’s impact is not limited to the Big Island, with tropical storm warnings in effect for Maui County and the islands of Oahu and Kauai. The hurricane center warned of destructive flooding, wildfires, and storm surges, and residents are advised to stay alert and follow evacuation orders if necessary.

Coffee farmers on the Big Island are worried about the potential damage to their crops, with one farmer saying the prospect of streams overflowing and high winds is worrisome. The storm also poses a risk of wildfires, with dry and breezy conditions outside the storm’s path.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.