Hawaii braces for its first direct hurricane hit since 1992 as Category 1 Storm Lala approaches, with officials warning of life-threatening
floods, mudslides, and 25 inches of rain.
Storm Lala, a Category 1 hurricane with 75mph winds, is poised to make history as Hawaii braces for what could be its first direct hit from a hurricane since 1992. The storm, which gained hurricane strength on Saturday, threatens to dump up to 25 inches of rain on the Big Island and generate a 3ft storm surge, according to the BBC. A hurricane warning is in effect for the Big Island, while Maui County, Oahu, Kauai, and Niihau remain under tropical storm warnings.
A Historic Storm Approaches Hawaii
The last hurricane to make landfall on Hawaii’s Big Island was 155 years ago, according to the Associated Press news agency. The more recent precedent is Hurricane Iniki in 1992, which struck Kauai as a category four storm, causing six deaths and $3bn in damage. Lala, now moving westward, could either make landfall or pass close to the southern tip of the Big Island by Saturday. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued dire forecasts, warning that rivers may rapidly overflow their banks in multiple places
and that major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues.
Residents have been urged to complete storm preparations, with Hawaii County’s Civil Defense Agency emphasizing that at this time, you should have completed your storm-ready preparations and focusing on your Sheltering Plan.
Public shelters were available in every county on Big Island, according to the agency. Meteorologist Jennifer Myers, based in Hilo, described the Wailuku River as really, really high,
with the bay appearing “like blood red” due to sediment and river water. The storm has already triggered landslides, knocked down power lines, and left nearly 37,000 customers without electricity.
Preparation and Warnings
Hawaii Governor Josh Green warned residents to expect an incredible amount of water,
as the storm’s impact is expected to span the entire state through the weekend. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has noted that 2026 may be another low-frequency year for hurricanes in the US, but the current storm’s intensity underscores the risks. Flight cancellations have also spiked, with 40% of flights grounded at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport and 80% at Hilo International Airport, according to flightaware.com.
A local reporter’s live broadcast captured the storm’s ferocity, with the speaker noting, It's actually hard for us to see… I've got a lot of water in my eyes.
This firsthand account highlights the challenges faced by residents and officials as they monitor the storm’s progression. Hawaii Governor Josh Green posted on X that Damaging winds, heavy rain, flash flooding and dangerous surf are possible across the state through the weekend.
Historical Context and Climate Trends
The current storm arrives amid broader climate concerns, with the European Union’s climate monitoring service reporting that last month, the world’s oceans hit their hottest ever recorded temperatures for July, partly driven by developing El Niño conditions. This aligns with the National Weather Service’s warnings about the potential for extreme weather events. The 1992 hurricane, Iniki, remains a stark reminder of the devastation such storms can bring, and officials are working to prevent a repeat of that crisis.
As Lala moves westward, the focus will shift to whether it will weaken into a tropical storm or maintain hurricane strength. The uncertainty surrounding its exact path and intensity leaves residents and officials in a state of heightened alert. With the storm’s potential to cause widespread flooding and infrastructure damage, the coming days will test Hawaii’s preparedness and resilience.
The storm is expected to either make landfall or pass close to the southern tip of Big Island on Saturday, before continuing west. 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. Hurricane season in the US has been relatively quiet the last few years – the last major storm was category three Hurricane Milton, which hit Florida in October 2024. It was also the joint second-warmest July globally on record, with temperatures 1.47C above the estimated pre-industrial average, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service.
