POLISCOPE
Back to feed
NewsWPLG Local 10 – Main FeedAugust 15, 2026Miami-Dade

Hurricane Lala threatens Hawaii's Big Island with high winds and flooding

Hurricane Lala, a Category 1 storm with 75 mph winds, is forecast to strike the southern tip of Hawaii's Big Island, prompting officials to order residents to shelter in place. The storm is expected to bring up to 25 inches of rain to higher elevations, creating significant risks for flash flooding and mudslides.

emergency managementweatherinfrastructurepublic safety
Read the full story at WPLG Local 10 – Main Feed

Why It Matters

Residents face immediate threats to property and safety from power outages, impassable roads, and potential mudslides, with emergency services and infrastructure currently under strain.

Key Facts

  • Hurricane Lala has reached Category 1 status with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph.
  • The storm is forecast to move over or near the southern end of the Big Island by Saturday evening.
  • Higher elevations on the Big Island could receive up to 25 inches of rain.
  • 32% of electricity customers on the Big Island are currently without power.
  • Hurricane warnings are in effect for the Big Island; tropical storm warnings are in effect for Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Oahu, Kauai, and Niihau.
  • Rainfall is occurring at a rate of 2 inches per hour in some areas.
  • The Big Island has a population of 210,000.
  • The last direct hurricane hit on the Big Island occurred in 1871.
  • Hurricane Iniki caused $3 billion in damage when it struck Kauai in 1992.

Who's Mentioned

organizationNational Hurricane Center“Weather monitoring agency”personArchie Kalepa“Lahaina resident”locationBig Island“Primary impact area”personSteven Businger“University of Hawaii scientist”personJosh Green“Governor of Hawaii”organizationpoweroutage.us“Power grid monitoring service”otherLala“Hurricane/Tropical Storm”personVanessa Almanza“National Weather Service meteorologist”