The Big Island of Hawaii is facing a deluge of heavy rain as Tropical Storm Lala approaches with hurricane-force winds. The storm began to whip the largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago on Saturday, with forecasts indicating it could intensify into a hurricane as it nears land. Authorities in the United States have warned that the storm could prompt flooding and other hazardous conditions, and they urged residents to exercise caution.
The rest of the island chain is bracing for 10.2 to 15.2 centimetres (4 to 6 inches) of precipitation. Higher elevations on the Big Island could see as much as 63.5 centimetres (25 inches). Such heavy rainfall could trigger mudslides, as well as downed power lines, toppled trees and other hazards.
Ahead of the storm’s landfall, officials encouraged residents to take shelter and not venture out into the elements. Hurricanes in the Pacific Ocean are not uncommon, but landfall in Hawaii is relatively rare, given the relatively small size of the islands and climate patterns in the surrounding ocean. Saturday’s storm comes as scientists expect a powerful El Nino to bring extreme weather across the western US in the coming months.
El Nino, a global climate phenomenon, is caused when surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean become warmer than usual, creating conditions for more extreme storms.
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