Hurricane Lala downgraded to tropical storm as heavy rain and winds batter Hawaii's Big Island

Hurricane Lala was downgraded to a tropical storm on Sunday after its eyewall passed close to Hawaii without making landfall. The system continued to generate hurricane-force gusts and intense rain on the Big Island, where accumulations approached three feet in some locations.

A search-and-rescue effort involving Civil Defense, the National Guard and a Coast Guard helicopter was launched after flash floods swept several homes off their foundations in the coastal communities of Na’alehu and Wai’ohinu near the island’s southern tip. > "What makes this very challenging is that there’s rushing water, there’s debris, and there’s boulders on the road and it’s dark," Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda said.

Governor Josh Green reported that at least one person died in a vehicle crash in the South Point area. In Honolulu, the fire department responded to dozens of weather-related incidents, including downed trees, damaged roofs, power line failures and a swimmer rescue.

The National Weather Service issued a flash-flood warning for the state, citing heavy rain, mudslides, flooding and power outages as primary hazards. > "Basically, the best thing to do right now is just stay home for a bit longer," meteorologist Stephen Parker advised.

More than 200,000 homes and businesses on Hawaii’s three largest islands were without electricity Sunday morning, and three hospitals were operating on generator power. Strong waves struck the Big Island’s coast, and wind gusts exceeded 100 mph on Mauna Kea.

Tropical storm warnings remain in effect for Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Oahu, Kauai and Niihau, with the potential for additional flooding and wind-driven wildfires on drier areas. As of 5 a.m., Lala was centered about 75 miles south of Honolulu, with tropical-storm-force winds extending up to 140 miles from its center. Forecasts suggest the system could regain hurricane strength later in the week once it moves well west of the islands.

Higher-elevation areas on the Big Island recorded up to 35 inches of rain, raising concerns about landslides in steep terrain where many residents live in off-grid housing. Shelters were opened, events canceled and ranchers advised to keep cattle in pastures as the storm approached.