Hawaii Faces Hurricane Lala.
Hurricane Lala approaches Hawaii, leaving over 40,000 without power amid 'life-threatening' warnings.
Hurricane Lala is battering Hawaii, knocking out power for more than 42,000 customers as it churns close to the Big Island, according to Times of Israel. The National Hurricane Center has warned of "life-threatening" conditions across the state.
As of 2:14 p.m. local time Saturday, 31,792 customers on the Big Island and 7,203 in Maui County were in the dark, Times of Israel reported. Hawaiian Electric warned that outages could last a long time as the storm pushes through the islands.
Lala Strengthens Into Hurricane as It Nears Big Island
Lala was a tropical storm just days ago. It strengthened into a full hurricane Saturday morning as it closed in on the Big Island, The Globe and Mail reported. The storm was sitting about 30 miles south of South Point on the Big Island, bringing heavy rain and strong winds, according to KITV.
Hawaii's governor issued a warning as the storm drew near. The National Hurricane Center predicted 10 to 20 inches of rain on the Big Island, with some areas possibly seeing up to 25 inches. Eastern Maui could get 8 to 12 inches, while western Maui may see 4 to 6 inches, Times of Israel reported.
Flights Between Los Angeles and Hawaii Canceled Saturday
The storm threw travel plans into chaos. Hurricane Lala canceled several flights from Los Angeles International Airport to Hawaii on Saturday, Sacramento Bee reported. Destinations hit include Kona, Maui, Kauai, and Honolulu.
Travelers heading between the mainland and Hawaii faced major disruptions. Airlines pulled flights as the storm made conditions unsafe. Passengers were urged to check with their carriers before heading to the airport.
Power Outages Spread Across Big Island and Maui County
The blackouts are widespread and growing. Over 42,889 total customers lost electricity by Saturday afternoon, according to Times of Israel. The Big Island bore the brunt, with 31,792 customers without power. Maui County added another 7,203 to that count.
Hawaiian Electric warned that restoring power would not be quick. Strong winds and heavy rain make it dangerous to send crews out for repairs. Residents have been told to prepare for extended outages as the storm continues moving through the island chain.
Hawaii Governor Urges Residents to Stay Safe and Prepare
The Globe and Mail reported that Hawaii's governor issued a public warning as Lala closed in. Officials urged people to stay indoors, stock up on supplies, and avoid flooded roads. Flash flooding is a major risk when rainfall totals reach this high.
Meteorologists stressed that even after the storm passes, dangers remain. Rivers can rise fast after heavy rain. Residents were told to treat downed power lines as live and deadly. Emergency crews were on standby across the affected islands.
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