Hurricane warning issued as Tropical Storm Lala nears Hawaii

Tropical Storm Lala barreled toward Hawaii on Friday, prompting a hurricane warning for the Big Island as forecasters warned the system could strengthen within hours and bring destructive winds, extreme rain, flooding and dangerous surf through the weekend.

The National Hurricane Center said hurricane conditions were expected on the Big Island by early Saturday local time. Lala had maximum sustained winds of 60 mph Friday and was moving west-northwest at 12 mph. A tropical storm becomes a hurricane when maximum sustained winds reach 74 mph.

Friday advisories placed the storm several hundred miles east-southeast to southeast of Hilo, with the National Hurricane Center reporting it about 365 miles east-southeast of Hilo and 580 miles east-southeast of Honolulu. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration separately put it about 420 miles southeast of Hilo in its latest advisory, The Guardian reported.

A hurricane warning was in effect for Hawaii County, which covers the Big Island. A tropical storm warning was issued for Maui County, including Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Kahoolawe, while a tropical storm watch covered Oahu and Kauai County, including Kauai and Niihau.

Forecasters said Lala could produce 8 to 12 inches of rain across Maui and the Big Island, with isolated totals up to 25 inches possible on the Big Island. Other islands could see 4 to 6 inches, with maximum amounts of 8 inches. The hurricane center warned the rainfall could cause “life-threatening flooding and mudslides,” especially in steep terrain.

Coastal areas also faced serious hazards. Lala could push a storm surge of 1 to 3 feet along the coast and generate large waves, life-threatening surf and rip currents. The hurricane center said winds could be significantly stronger in elevated areas and along the windward sides of slopes and mountains.

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green declared a state of emergency Thursday, activating potential disaster relief funds and directing state agencies to assist in emergency response efforts. “Tropical Storm Lala poses a serious threat to our state, particularly Hawaii Island – and we are taking action now to ensure resources are available where they are needed,” Green said.

Green urged residents to secure homes, gather supplies, review family emergency plans and follow official updates. “Please take this storm seriously and look out for one another,” he said.

Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda said the Big Island was bracing for hazards that could vary sharply by location. “If you live close to the shoreline, then it’s high surf. If you live in a different area, could be high winds. But you know, there’s also flooding involved too,” he told CBS News. “So they’re aware and messages went out. And now we’re just bracing ourselves, preparing.”

Alameda also warned residents in a news release to prepare for damaging winds, flooding rain, high surf, power outages, loss of communications and road closures. “This is a quickly evolving situation and we urge our residents to act now to prepare for the storm by checking your emergency supplies, securing your property and contacting neighbors who may need assistance,” he said.

Flood watches were in effect for Lanai, Molokai, Kahoolawe, Maui and Hawaii from Friday through Saturday night, and for Kauai, Niihau and Oahu from Saturday evening through Sunday night, The Guardian reported. Hawaii’s emergency management agency advised residents to clear gutters and drains, move valuables off the ground, seal door gaps, remove threatening tree limbs and stay away from beaches and coastal areas.

The National Park Service said most areas of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island would close to visitors by Friday afternoon. The park had already closed access to the summit of Mauna Loa on Thursday and planned to close the welcome center, all trails and the Nahuku lava tube, The Guardian reported.