Hurricane warning issued for Hawaii's Big Island as Tropical Storm Lala nears

Tropical Storm Lala, which formed on Thursday in the Pacific, is projected to strengthen into a hurricane as it approaches the Big Island of Hawaii, bringing heavy rain, flooding and high surf, forecasters said. The National Hurricane Center reported that the storm, located about 455 miles east-southeast of Hilo, is moving west-northwest with sustained winds of 60 mph. A hurricane warning now covers Hawaii County, while a tropical storm watch has been issued for Maui County, including Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Kahoolawe. > "A hurricane warning means hurricane conditions are expected, and it is typically issued 36 hours before potential tropical-storm-force winds," the center explained. Rainfall could total 8 inches to a foot across Maui and the Big Island, with isolated amounts up to 25 inches on the Big Island, raising the risk of life-threatening flooding and mudslides. The system is expected to be near the Big Island on Saturday. In the same period, Tropical Storm Hernan formed elsewhere in the Pacific but is weakening and not a threat to land, and former Tropical Storm Cristobal in the Atlantic has degenerated into a post-tropical low far from any coastline.