Hurricane Lala Weakens to Tropical Storm as Hawaii Braces for Flooding
Hurricane Lala Downgraded After Grazing Hawaii
Hurricane Lala has weakened from a Category 1 hurricane to a tropical storm after passing south of Hawaii without landfall. [3] The storm edged the Hawaiian coast and just escaped primary impact zones while pounding waves crashed against the shore of the Big Island. [3] Wild squalls bent tall palm trees and fierce sideways rain swelled rivers. [3] Up to one metre of rain was expected on higher windward slopes. [3] Such a torrent could turn rivers into turbulent floods and cause life-threatening mudslides. [3] The NHC said in an advisory published early Sunday morning that rainfall totals could even reach up to 90cm in some areas of the Big Island. [3] Hurricane-force gusts could still batter the islands with flash flooding and punishing winds. [3] Tropical storm warnings remain active for Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Oahu, Kauai, and Niihau. [3] Dire conditions continue to lash the Hawaiian coast as monster waves drive coastal erosion and severe flooding plagues communities across the US state. [3] The westward-moving storm raises fears among residents regarding heavy floods and strong winds that could spark catastrophic wildfires in the Aloha State. [3]
Flooding, Power Outages and Fatalities in Hawaii
More than 60,000 households were without power and three hospitals switched to generator power. [3] At least one person died in a car accident in the South Point area of the Big Island while 19 roofs were lost in the enormous storm. [3] Christine Matsuda, who lives in Waimea on the northern side of the island, told the Associated Press that big gusts every few minutes rattle the whole house. [3] On Saturday the US National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane warning for the Big Island which has not suffered a direct hurricane landfall in 155 years. [3] But as tropical storm winds soared west from Maui to Oahu and Kauai on Sunday Hurricane Lala drifted past edging the Hawaiian coast. [3] Still pounding waves crashed against the shore of the Big Island. [3] Wild squalls bent tall palm trees and fierce sideways rain swelled rivers. [3] Up to one metre of rain was expected on higher windward slopes. [3] Such a torrent could turn rivers into turbulent floods and cause life-threatening mudslides. [3] The NHC said in an advisory published early Sunday morning that rainfall totals could even reach up to 90cm in some areas of the Big Island. [3] More than 60,000 households were without power and three hospitals switched to generator power. [3] At least one person died in a car accident in the South Point area of the Big Island while 19 roofs were lost in the enormous storm. [3]
Flash Flooding Hits Colorado Burn Scar
Flash Flood Warning for the Aspen Acres Burn Scar remains in effect until 445 PM MDT this afternoon for eastern Custer and southwestern Pueblo counties. [1] At 217 PM MDT local law enforcement reported life threatening flooding over the Aspen Acres Burn Scar with heavy debris flows in the Beulah area. [1] Between 1 and 1.5 inches of rain have fallen. [1] Flash flooding is already occurring. [1] Excessive rainfall over the burn scar will result in debris flow moving through the Squirrel, Middle and North areas. [1] The warning covers eastern Custer and southwestern Pueblo counties where life threatening flooding with heavy debris flows is occurring. [1] Between 1 and 1.5 inches of rain have fallen over the Aspen Acres Burn Scar. [1] Local law enforcement reported life threatening flooding over the Aspen Acres Burn Scar with heavy debris flows in the Beulah area. [1] Flash flooding is already occurring over the burn scar. [1]
Severe Thunderstorm Warning for El Paso County
The National Weather Service in Pueblo has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for south central El Paso County in east central Colorado until 300 PM MDT. [2] At 217 PM MDT a severe thunderstorm was located near Fountain or 11 miles south of Colorado Springs moving east at 15 mph. [2] Hazard includes 60 mph wind gusts and half dollar size hail. [2] Source is radar indicated. [2] Impact includes hail damage to vehicles is expected and expect wind damage to roofs siding and trees. [2] The severe thunderstorm near Fountain is producing 60 mph winds and half dollar size hail. [2] The warning covers south central El Paso County until 300 PM MDT. [2] At 217 PM MDT the storm was located near Fountain or 11 miles south of Colorado Springs moving east at 15 mph. [2] Radar indicated 60 mph wind gusts and half dollar size hail. [2]
Flash Flood Warning Issued in Pennsylvania
The National Weather Service in Pittsburgh has issued a Flash Flood Warning for northern Washington County in southwestern Pennsylvania until 715 PM EDT. [5] At 415 PM EDT Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. [5] Between 1 and 1.5 inches of rain have fallen. [5] Additional rainfall amounts up to 0.5 inches are possible in the warned area. [5] Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. [5] The warning covers northern Washington County where thunderstorms are producing heavy rain. [5] Between 1 and 1.5 inches of rain have already fallen with up to 0.5 inches more possible. [5] Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly in the warned area. [5]
Storm Damage Reported in Cyprus
A severe storm caused significant damage to Trikomo on Sunday with beaches being evacuated. [4] Turkish Cypriot media reported that the worst of the weather was concentrated around the villages of Ayios Iakovos and Arnadi. [4] Strong winds damaged the building of the Ayios Iakovos hunting club. [4] In Arnadi electricity poles were brought down causing a small fire which was quickly extinguished by fire crews. [4] During the firefighting operation a main water pipe was also damaged temporarily disrupting the water supply to the village until repairs could be carried out. [4] Beaches were evacuated as a precaution while residents were advised to avoid unnecessary travel. [4] Crews remained in the affected areas to assess the damage and work on restoring electricity and water services. [4] The storm comes as Cyprus experiences heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. [4]
What to watch next includes continued flash flooding risks over the Aspen Acres Burn Scar until 445 PM MDT, the severe thunderstorm near Fountain until 300 PM MDT, flash flooding in northern Washington County until 715 PM EDT, and ongoing assessments in the Trikomo area of Cyprus after the severe storm.
