Hawaii’s communities began the cleanup effort on Monday after Tropical Storm Lala passed to the west, bringing intense rain and flooding that turned streets into mud pits. The storm, which had been a hurricane earlier in the week, weakened to a tropical storm before skirting the islands without making landfall.
Rainfall and wind impacts
National Weather Service meteorologist Patrick Blood reported that the storm’s saturation still poses a risk of landslides, though wind threats have largely subsided. “There’s no real looming hazards that we’re facing now,” Blood said, noting that Lala was now moving westward and expected to re‑intensify over open water.
The heaviest rainfall was recorded in Laupahoehoe on the northeast coast of the Big Island, where an astonishing 43.54 inches (1.1 meters) fell. At the summit of Mauna Kea, gusts reached 140 mph (225 kph), while lower elevations experienced sustained tropical‑storm‑force winds of 30‑40 mph (48‑64 kph) with gusts up to 60 mph (97 kph).
Damage to homes and infrastructure
Felled trees and downed power lines were reported across the island chain. Floodwaters were powerful enough to sweep roughly 100 homes off their foundations on the Big Island, according to state officials. Governor Josh Green said Sunday that, fortunately, no fatalities were believed to have occurred as a result of the homes being washed away.
Local utility crews are working to restore electricity, and the Department of Transportation is clearing debris from roadways. Residents are being urged to avoid low‑lying areas and to stay alert for possible landslides as the ground remains saturated.
Safety outlook
The National Hurricane Center confirmed that there were no coastal watches or warnings in effect for Hawaii on Monday. However, life‑threatening surf and rip‑current conditions persisted, and swimmers were advised to stay out of the water.
Officials emphasized that while wind speeds have dropped, the lingering moisture could still produce localized flooding and mudslides, especially in areas that received the highest rainfall totals. Residents were asked to follow any evacuation orders and to keep emergency kits ready.
Looking ahead
Forecast models show Lala continuing westward over the Pacific, with a chance of re‑intensifying into a hurricane far from land by Wednesday. The storm is not expected to pose further threats to Hawaii, but authorities will continue to monitor conditions and provide updates as needed.
Community groups and churches have already organized volunteer clean‑up crews to help clear debris and assist neighbors whose properties were damaged. The collaborative response reflects the island’s strong sense of family and faith, as residents work together to restore normalcy after the storm’s passage.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
