Hurricane Lala approached Hawaii over the weekend, bringing maximum sustained winds of 75 mph and heavy rainfall that left 42,889 utility customers without power, primarily on the Big Island and in Maui County.
The National Hurricane Center issued warnings of life-threatening flooding and mudslides, particularly in steep terrain, predicting rainfall totals of up to 25 inches on the Big Island and significant amounts elsewhere.
Hawaiian Electric has cautioned customers about potential extended outages, which could last overnight, as utility crews assess damage from fallen trees that have downed transmission lines. Additionally, Hilo International Airport has been closed, with Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport set to close as well, along with commercial ports in the region.
The impact of the hurricane on local infrastructure and the economy could be substantial, particularly if recovery efforts are prolonged