Tropical Storm Lala delivered hurricane-force gusts and heavy rain to Hawaii's Big Island on Sunday, Aug. 15, before weakening and moving away [1, 2, 5].
The event underscores the vulnerability of the U.S. Pacific islands to erratic storm tracks that can cause severe flooding even without a direct landfall.
Lala weakened to a tropical storm after skirting the Big Island [1]. While the storm did not make landfall, its eyewall passed close to the coast, bringing intense winds and precipitation to the region [1].
Rainfall reached nearly one meter in some areas [4]. This deluge triggered widespread flooding across the island's terrain. Wind speeds were recorded at sustained levels of about 70 mph [3].
The impact on infrastructure was significant. Tens of thousands of residents lost power as the storm passed [2]. One person died during the event [3].
Emergency crews responded to the flooding and power outages as the system moved further away from the islands. Local officials monitored the rainfall totals to assess the risk of landslides on the mountain slopes.
“Rainfall reached nearly one meter in some areas”
The impact of Tropical Storm Lala demonstrates that a storm does not need to make landfall to cause catastrophic damage. The combination of high sustained winds and extreme rainfall totals can cripple local power grids and cause fatal flooding, highlighting the need for robust infrastructure and early warning systems in the Hawaiian archipelago.
