Hurricane Lala weakened to a tropical storm on Sunday as it bypassed Hawaii without making landfall. Despite this, the storm brought strong winds and heavy rain, with some areas receiving nearly one meter of rainfall and experiencing flash floods.

Search-and-rescue efforts were initiated in coastal communities like Na’alehu and Wai’ohinu after homes were swept away by the floods. Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda highlighted the challenges faced due to rushing water, debris, and darkness during the rescue operations.

Tragically, one person lost their life in a vehicle accident in the South Point region of the Big Island. Honolulu faced the brunt of the storm with numerous incidents reported, including downed trees, roofs, power lines, and a swimmer rescue operation.

The storm left over 200,000 homes and businesses without power, with the Big Island being the most affected. Several hospitals were operating on generator power due to the outages. Lala’s impact was felt across the state, with flooding, mudslides, downed trees, and power lines posing significant threats.

Tropical storm warnings were issued for multiple islands, with Lanai, Molokai, and Oahu experiencing the heaviest rain and strongest winds. As of the latest update, Lala was moving west-northwest, and forecasters anticipated potential intensification back into a hurricane later in the week.

The storm’s effects were felt on higher-altitude regions of the Big Island, with substantial rainfall leading to concerns about landslides and flooding. Residents took precautions as the storm approached, with shelters opened, events canceled, and safety measures implemented.

Businesses like the Punalu’u Bake Shop suffered severe damage, and residents like Kate McLellan on Oahu’s North Shore braced for the storm’s impact. McLellan emphasized the importance of preparedness and praised the state’s communication and readiness efforts during the storm.