Hurricane Lala Strikes Hawaii, Leaving Thousands in the Dark
By Editor • August 16, 2026 • 1 min read
On August 15, 2026, Hurricane Lala made landfall in Hawaii, unleashing powerful winds and torrential rain, with over 40,000 residents losing power across the state. The National Hurricane Center issued dire warnings of 'life-threatening' conditions as the storm, classified as a Category 1 hurricane, produced maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h).
As of 2:14 p.m. HST, a staggering 42,889 utility customers were without electricity, including 31,792 on the Big Island and 7,203 in Maui County, which encompasses the islands of Maui, Lanai, and Molokai. The hurricane center projected rainfall amounts between 10 to 20 inches for the Big Island, with localized spots possibly receiving up to 25 inches. This deluge raises concerns about severe flooding and mudslides, particularly in steep areas.
Hawaiian Electric has warned residents to brace for extended outages, potentially lasting overnight, as crews assess damage along a 42-mile stretch of transmission lines on the Big Island, where fallen trees have toppled utility poles. Meanwhile, the Hawaii Department of Transportation is closing Hilo International Airport and plans to shut down Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at 2 p.m. HST, along with commercial ports across the region.
Source: www.thehindu.com
