The storm’s eyewall brushed the southern tip of the island, but the National Weather Service confirmed it did not make landfall, sparing the region from a direct hit. Despite this, the storm unleashed catastrophic impacts, including widespread power outages, and rainfall, according to multiple reports.
A Storm of Unprecedented Scale
Lala became only the fifth hurricane since 1957 to pass within 70 miles of the Big Island, joining storms like 2024’s Hone and 2020’s Douglas, per The Weather Channel. The National Hurricane Center noted that the storm’s “dirty side”—the most dangerous quadrant where winds and storm surges are strongest—directly impacted the island chain. This is an enormous storm,
Hawaii Governor Josh Green said, warning residents of “a ton of rain” that would trigger life-threatening flooding and mudslides.
The storm’s rainfall was particularly devastating. The National Weather Service forecast 10 to 25 inches of rain across the Big Island, with some areas receiving up to 25 inches. Ian Morrison, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, reported 12 inches of rain on the eastern slopes by Saturday morning. Flash flood warnings were issued for the Big Island, Maui, and Oahu, with officials cautioning that small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses
would be at risk. You have to be careful. … Do not go out if it’s unsafe,
Green urged, as the storm’s heavy rains triggered flooding in Hilo and other communities.
Power Outages and Infrastructure Damage
Over 60,000 residents across Hawaii lost power as Lala’s winds downed trees, snapped utility poles, and disrupted the electrical grid. Hawaiian Electric reported that more than 44,000 customers were without electricity by 3 p.m. on August 15, with some areas facing outages lasting days.
The storm also caused significant road closures, with over 30 roads blocked by fallen trees, flooding, and debris. Mayor Kimo Alameda of Hawaii County described the situation as a record number of widespread road closures and prolonged power outages.
In Puna, a tree fell on a vehicle, killing one person and injuring three others, according to the mayor. Hilo Medical Center treated the injured, while emergency crews worked to clear roads and restore services. Conditions have degraded to a point that concern for the safety of our road and power personnel has resulted in crews being asked to fallback until conditions improve,
the Hawaiʻi Civil Defense Agency said.
Government Responses and Warnings
Aftermath and Ongoing Concerns
As of August 16, the storm had largely moved westward, but its impacts lingered. The National Hurricane Center predicted that Lala would weaken as it interacted with the Big Island’s terrain, though it could re-intensify over the central Pacific. Officials warned that the risk of flooding and mudslides would persist through Sunday, particularly in areas with steep topography.
Recovery efforts faced challenges as crews worked to restore power and clear roads. Hawaiian Electric estimated that some customers might not regain electricity until Monday, while the Hawaiʻi Department of Water Supply issued an Essential Needs Only
notice, urging residents to limit water use to drinking, cooking, and hygiene. With the storm’s remnants expected to linger over the Pacific, the state remained on high alert for potential secondary impacts, including additional rainfall and high surf.
The full extent of Lala’s damage remains under assessment, but early reports indicate it will rank among the most severe storms to impact Hawaii in decades. While the storm did not make landfall, its proximity and intensity underscore the vulnerability of the islands to tropical cyclones. As officials prepare for the aftermath, the question remains: how will Hawaii’s infrastructure and emergency response systems hold up against future storms, especially as climate change increases the frequency and intensity of such events? For now, residents are focused on recovery, with many still without power or access to basic services.
