Hurricane Lala Brings 91 mph Winds and Torrential Rain to Hawaii Big Island
Hurricane Lala Skirts Hawaii’s Big Island
Strong winds and torrential rain are lashing Hawaii after category one Hurricane Lala skirted Big Island on Saturday. [3] Hawaii Governor Josh Green said Lala got "closest to [Big Island's] South Point area", where a person has died after a car accident. [3] Lala gained hurricane strength on Saturday after generating 80mph (130km/h) wind speeds, which have since peaked at 91mph. [3] It could dump up to 25in (63cm) of rain and produce a 3ft storm surge. [3] The storm is expected to continue into Sunday morning before moving west. [3] A hurricane warning is in effect for Big Island, while Hawaii's seven other major islands Maui, Molokai, Kahoolawe, Oahu, Lanai, Kauai and Niihau are under tropical storm warnings. [3] In an update at 17:00 on Saturday local time (03:00 on Sunday GMT), the National Hurricane Center said Lala's eye wall was "brushing the southern portion of the Big Island". [3] "Damaging winds and heavy rain will persist across the Big Island throughout tonight and spread westwards across the smaller islands on Sunday," it said. [3] Green said many roads in Big Island have been "impacted", with 30 sites having already been visited by crews, and warned residents to brace for an "an incredible amount of water". [3] "Please be very safe... you do not want to be out on the roads," he said in a video update posted across his social media platforms. [3] The last time a hurricane made landfall on Hawaii's Big Island was 155 years ago, according to researchers. [3] Over the weekend, Lala will continue moving westwards, and may weaken into a tropical storm, with the centre passing just below Hawaii's other islands. [3] Hurricanes are categorised one to five, with a category one storm - such as Lala - on the lower end of the scale with minimal damage expected. [3] Iniki, a powerful category four storm, was the last hurricane to strike Hawaii back in 1992. [3] It caused six deaths and $3bn in damage after making landfall on the southern coast of Kauai. [3] Hurricane season in the US has been relatively quiet the last few years - the last major storm was category three Hurricane Milton, which hit Florida in October 2024. [3] The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has said 2026 might be another low-frequency year for hurricanes in the US, predicting a 55% chance of a below-normal season. [3] Last month, the world's oceans hit their hottest ever recorded temperatures for July, according to the EU's climate monitoring service. [3] The record temperatures were partly fuelled by developing El Niño conditions in the Pacific. [3] It was also the joint second-warmest July globally on record, with temperatures 1.47C above the estimated pre-industrial average, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service. [3]
Widespread Power Outages, Flooding and Travel Chaos
Tens of thousands have been left without power and officials have warned people to prepare for "life-threatening" conditions, including floods and mudslides. [3] According to the governor, 190 flights have been postponed. [3] At Ellison Onizuka Kona International - Big Island's largest airport - 40% of flights were grounded, according to flightaware.com. [3] Some 80% of flights were called off at its other main airport, Hilo International. [3] The most dire forecasts from the National Weather Service (NWS) have been issued for areas within Big Island's south-east. [3] "Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues," the NWS said, adding that rivers and tributaries "may rapidly overflow their banks in multiple places". [3] More than 85,000 customers had lost electricity on Hawaii as of Saturday evening, according to the website poweroutage.us. [3] Green said three hospitals had also lost power but have backup generators. [3] In Maui, some residents have been left without water as of Saturday afternoon. [3] "Crews responded to the area but were unable to continue their assessment due to inclement weather and multiple downed trees," a county statement said, adding crews would return once it was safe. [3] Meteorologist Jennifer Myers, who lives in Hilo, eastern Big Island, said landslides had already cut off some roads, while power lines had been ripped down by falling trees. [3] "I'm looking at the river right now, and it's really, really high," she told the BBC about the view from her apartment of the Wailuku River as it meets Hilo Bay. [3] "The bay that's usually blue is like blood red right now because of all the sediment and river water in it." [3] Residents were repeatedly urged by officials to prepare for the storm early. [3] Local message boards on Facebook show residents filling bags with sand to protect their homes and inquiring whether stores remained open in the early hours on Saturday. [3] Hawaii County's Civil Defense Agency said public shelters were available in every county on Big Island. [3] "At this time, you should have completed your storm-ready preparations and focusing on your Sheltering Plan," the agency said on X. [3]
Flash Flood Warning Issued for Monroe, Ohio
At 345 AM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms produced heavy rain across the warned area. [1] Between 1 and 1.5 inches of rain have fallen. [1] Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. [1] The hazard is flash flooding caused by thunderstorms. [1] The source is radar indicated. [1] The impact includes flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas. [1] Some locations that will experience flash flooding include Sardis. [1]
Severe Thunderstorm Warning for North-Central Kansas
At 234 AM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from 8 miles east of Huntley to 7 miles southeast of Campbell to 7 miles southwest of Guide Rock, moving northeast at 40 mph. [2] The hazard is 60 mph wind gusts. [2] The source is radar indicated. [2] The impact is expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees. [2] These severe storms will be near Hildreth, Campbell, Bladen, Guide Rock, Upland, and Cowles around 240 AM CDT. [2] Blue Hill around 250 AM CDT. [2]
Rainstorm Threatens Northern Ghana
The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) has issued a weather warning for parts of northern Ghana following the observation of a severe rainstorm over northern Benin. [5] The storm is forecast to move westward and could affect parts of the Upper East, North East, Northern, Upper West and Savannah regions tonight and into the morning hours. [5] According to GMet, the weather system could bring strong to gusty winds, frequent lightning and moderate to heavy rainfall, potentially creating hazardous conditions for residents and motorists. [5] In a notice released on Sunday, August 16, GMet urged residents in the affected areas to take precautionary measures and seek shelter during periods of heavy rain and lightning. [5] It advised the public to avoid open spaces and isolated trees during the storm because of the risk associated with lightning and strong winds. [5] Motorists have also been cautioned to exercise care on the roads, particularly during heavy rainfall, when visibility could be reduced and roads become slippery. [5] GMet further encouraged residents to monitor official weather updates for developments and further guidance as the storm moves towards the country. [5] In case of emergencies, the public has been advised to contact the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) on 0302 964 884 or 0291 913 077, or dial 112. [5]
Hong Kong Braces for Continued Heat Then Thunderstorms
Scorching weather in Hong Kong will persist on Sunday and Monday with maximum temperatures climbing to 35 degrees Celsius (95 Fahrenheit) before a low-pressure system brings squally thunderstorms and unsettled weather by midweek. [4] The Very Hot Weather Warning has been in force since 6.45am on Sunday with temperatures across the city ranging from 28 to 33 degrees, according to the Hong Kong Observatory. [4] Mercury levels in Tai Po soared to 34.8 degrees at noon. [4] “Winds will be weak and the weather will be very hot over Guangdong tomorrow, and thundery showers triggered by high temperatures will affect the region,” it said. [4] The forecaster said a broad trough of low pressure would affect the northern part of the South China Sea to the seas east of Taiwan in the next few days, and was expected to edge closer to the coast of Guangdong province gradually in the middle and latter parts of this week. [4] Under the influence of the low-pressure system, the weather over the coast of southern China will become unsettled in the middle and latter parts of this week, according to the forecaster. [4]
What to watch next: Lala is forecast to weaken into a tropical storm while continuing westwards with the centre passing just below Hawaii's other islands, [3] a broad trough of low pressure is expected to edge closer to the coast of Guangdong province gradually in the middle and latter parts of this week, [4] and the severe rainstorm over northern Benin is forecast to move westward into parts of northern Ghana tonight and into the morning hours. [5]
