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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Brittney Donovan

Mass power outages in Hawaii as deadly storm Lala batters Big Island

  • Hurricane Lala weakened to a tropical storm on Sunday after skirting Hawaii without making direct landfall, but it continued to batter the Big Island with hurricane-force wind gusts, high surf, and relentless rain.
  • The severe weather left over 60,000 households and three hospitals without grid power, damaged at least 19 roofs, affected more than 30 road sites, and resulted in at least one storm-related car accident fatality.
  • Tropical storm warnings were extended westward to Maui, Oahu, Kauai, and neighboring islands as the storm moved west-northwest at 15 mph with sustained winds of 70 mph, prompting concerns over destructive flash floods, mudslides, and potential wildfires.
  • Higher elevations on the Big Island are expected to receive as much as 35 inches of rain, posing significant risks to off-grid residents on steep slopes, though forecasters expect Lala to regain hurricane strength midweek after moving far west of the island chain.
  • Residents across the islands actively prepared for the storm's impact by securing backup generators, stocking fuel and supplies, filling water storage tanks, and opening emergency shelters.

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