Hurricane Lala threatens Hawaii's Big Island with severe winds and rain
Consensus Summary
Hurricane Lala, a category one storm with maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometres per hour, threatened Hawaii's Big Island with severe weather conditions, including heavy rainfall and hurricane-force winds. The storm was last upgraded to a hurricane on Saturday and was forecasted to bring 20 to 30cm of rain to Maui and lower elevations of the Big Island, with higher elevations potentially receiving up to 63cm. Both sources agree that the last direct hurricane hit the Big Island in 1871, and Hurricane Iniki, a category four storm, caused $3 billion in damage and killed 6 people when it struck Kauai in 1992. Governor Josh Green warned residents to shelter in place due to risks of mudslides and flash flooding, particularly in areas with albizia trees. While ABC initially reported the possibility of a direct landfall in over 155 years, Guardian later clarified that the storm skirted the island without making landfall. Despite the storm weakening to a tropical storm, it continued to cause significant disruptions, including power outages affecting over 130,000 households and the closure of airports and ports.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Hurricane Lala's maximum sustained winds reached 120 kilometres per hour (75 mph)
- Hurricane Lala was last upgraded to a category one hurricane on Saturday
- A hurricane last made landfall on Hawaii's Big Island in 1871 (category three)
- Hurricane Iniki, a category four storm, hit Kauai in 1992, causing $3 billion worth of damage and killing 6 people
- Forecasted rainfall for Maui and lower elevations of the Big Island is 20 to 30cm (8 to 12in)
- Forecasted rainfall for the island chain is 10 to 15cm (4 to 6in)
- Hilo International Airport and Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport were closed at 2pm Saturday local time (Sunday, 10am AEST)
- Higher elevations on the Big Island, dominated by Mauna Kea volcano, could receive up to 63cm (35 in / 89 cm) of rain
- Tropical storm warnings were issued for Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Oahu, Kauai, and Niihau
- Residents were advised to shelter in place due to dangerous conditions, including mudslides and flash flooding
- Albizia trees, common on the Big Island, pose a risk of falling and blocking roads
- Governor Josh Green described the storm as 'enormous' and urged residents to stay off roads
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Hurricane Lala could be the first hurricane to make landfall on Hawaii's Big Island in more than a century (155 years)
- The eye wall was forecast to move over or near Big Island's southern end by Saturday evening local time
- Electricity was knocked out for nearly 20 per cent of customers on the Big Island
- At least one person died in a car accident in the South Point area of the Big Island (not explicitly stated in Guardian)
- More than 130,000 households were without power (Guardian confirms this but ABC does not explicitly state the number)
- The Hawaii Department of Transportation closed Hawaii Island, Maui County, and Kaua‘i commercial ports
- At least 130,000 households were without power Sunday morning across Hawaii’s three largest islands
- At least three hospitals were operating on generator power, and 19 roofs were lost
- A search-and-rescue mission including civil defense, the national guard, and coast guard was launched after flash floods swept several occupied homes off their foundations in Na’alehu and Wai’ohinu
- Total rainfall of nearly 3ft (one meter) was expected on the higher windward slopes
- The storm weakened to a tropical storm on Sunday after skirting Hawaii without making landfall
- The Big Island has 210,000 residents
- A 10,000-gallon (37.8 kiloliter) home water tank was mentioned as a precaution by resident Mike Caputo
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC states Hurricane Lala could be the first hurricane to make landfall in more than a century (155 years), but Guardian later reports the eye of the storm passed the island’s southern tip without making landfall
- ABC reports 63cm of rain forecasted for higher elevations, while Guardian reports 35 in (89 cm) for the same area (both are equivalent, but ABC also mentions 63cm separately)
- ABC states 5 centimetres of rain per hour was reported, but Guardian does not mention this specific rate
- ABC reports 20 to 30cm of total rainfall across Maui and lower elevations of the Big Island, while Guardian reports 8 to 12in (20.3 to 30.5cm) for the same area (both are equivalent, but Guardian specifies 8 to 12in explicitly)
- ABC reports 10 to 15cm of rain across the island chain, while Guardian reports 4 to 6in (10.2 to 15.2cm) for the same area (both are equivalent, but Guardian specifies 4 to 6in explicitly)
Source Articles
Hurricane Lala threatens to make landfall on Hawaii's Big Island
Residents on Hawaii's Big Island brace for a first possible direct hit from a hurricane in 155 years.
Lala weakens to tropical storm as it lashes Hawaii with heavy wind and rain
Hurricane Lala downgraded after skirting Big Island as one person dies and over 130,000 households are without power Hurricane Lala weakened to a tropical storm on Sunday after skirting Hawaii without making landfall, but it wasn’t done punishing the Big Island with hurricane-force gusts. Total rainfall of nearly 3ft (one meter) was expected on the higher windward slopes, turning rivers into raging torrents and threatening mudslides. The Hawaii governor, Josh Green, said at least one person died