Hawaii is bracing for what could be its first direct hit from a hurricane since 1992, as category one storm Lala churns off its coast. Packing 75mph (120km/h) winds, Lala gained hurricane strength on Saturday. In a worst-case scenario, it could dump up to 25in (63cm) of rain on Big Island and produce a 3ft storm surge.
A hurricane warning is in effect for Big Island, while Maui County, Oahu, Kauai and Niihau are under a tropical storm warnings. Officials have told residents to prepare for "life-threatening" conditions, including floods and mudslides. The storm is expected to either make landfall or pass close to the southern tip of Big Island on Saturday, before continuing west.
The last time a hurricane made landfall on Hawaii's Big Island was 155 years ago, according to the news agency. Over the weekend, Lala will continue moving westwards, and may weaken into a tropical storm, with the centre passing just below Hawaii's other islands. Hawaii Governor Josh Green warned residents to brace for "an incredible amount of water".
He said on X: "Damaging winds, heavy rain, flash flooding and dangerous surf are possible across the state through the weekend." At Ellison Onizuka Kona International - Big Island's largest airport - 40% of flights were grounded, according to flightaware.com. Some 80% of flights were called off at its other main airport, Hilo International. The more dire forecasts from the National Weather Service (NWS) have been issued for areas within Big Island's south-east.
"Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues," the NWS said, adding that rivers and tributaries "may rapidly overflow their banks in multiple places". Residents were repeatedly urged by officials to prepare for the storm early. Local message boards on Facebook show residents filling bags with sand to protect their homes and inquiring whether stores remained open in the early hours on Saturday.
Hawaii County's Civil Defense Agency said public shelters were available in every county on Big Island. "At this time, you should have completed your storm-ready preparations and focusing on your Sheltering Plan," the agency said on X. Iniki, a powerful category four storm, was the last hurricane to strike Hawaii back in 1992.
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