Tropical Storm Lala Expected to Strengthen into Hurricane as It Approaches Hawaii's Big Island

Tropical Storm Lala was already bringing heavy rain and strong winds to Hawaii's Big Island early Saturday and is projected to strengthen into a hurricane as it moves toward land. The National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane warning for the island, the first such warning for a landfall in 155 years. Forecasts call for up to 25 inches of rain in higher elevations, raising the risk of life-threatening mudslides in mountainous, off-grid communities, while lower elevations could see 8 to 12 inches of rain.

"This is an enormous storm," Governor Josh Green said.

The storm's tropical-storm-force winds extend up to 220 miles and are expected to affect Oahu and Kauai by Sunday morning. A tropical storm warning remains in effect for Maui County, which includes Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kahoolawe. Officials warned of possible destructive flooding, dangerous surf, rip currents and an increased wildfire threat from dry, breezy conditions outside the storm's core.

"It doesn’t take landfall to create destruction," meteorologist Vanessa Almanza said.

State Rep. Jeanné Kapela, who traveled to the Big Island to meet constituents, urged residents, especially those in unpermitted off-grid housing, to seek shelter with family or friends if their homes are not wind-resistant. She noted that many communities are still recovering from March flooding.

Agricultural leaders expressed concern about additional damage to crops and livestock, while local residents reported normal conditions before the storm but warned of potential stream overflow and high winds. The storm is currently about 140 miles southeast of South Point, moving west-northwest at 13 mph with sustained winds of 65 mph.

The National Hurricane Center cautioned that the storm could produce life-threatening flooding, mudslides, storm surge and dangerous surf across the islands.