Thousands in Hawaii faced power outages on Monday following Tropical Storm Lala’s impact on the region. The storm uprooted trees and caused significant flash flooding from Honolulu to the Big Island. Many communities on the Big Island’s southern end were isolated, with blocked roads and disturbed grave sites adding to the area’s challenges.
Authorities confirmed one death attributed to the storm. A missing woman from Naalehu was found dead on Monday. Details regarding her death remain scarce.
Originally a hurricane, Lala weakened to a tropical storm on Sunday as it bypassed Hawaii’s main islands, bringing along heavy rain and flooding. Prospective forecasts indicate that the storm will resume its hurricane status while moving westward away from land by Wednesday.
Public institutions, including schools and state offices, remained closed on Monday, with ongoing closures on the Big Island extending into Tuesday. Cleanup operations have commenced, focusing on bridge repairs and clearing fallen trees. Officials advised drivers to find alternate routes. Hawaiian Electric reported 104,000 customers without power due to extensive damage to the Big Island’s power transmission infrastructure.
The Big Island temporarily lost its 911 emergency service due to storm-related communication disruptions. By Monday afternoon, the service was operational again. State Rep. Jeanné Kapela expressed deep concern over her district, particularly Punaluu, a community notably popular for its black-sand beach. She expressed efforts to establish satellite internet connections for areas lacking cellular or power services.
Governor Josh Green expressed optimism, hoping for the reopening of affected areas soon. He highlighted the importance of respecting burial sites disturbed by floodwaters, particularly sites significant to Native Hawaiians.
Federal officials, including U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, are engaging with national bodies to secure support for the cleanup and recovery efforts. Schatz spoke with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, pushing for emergency funding to address debris and damaged infrastructure.
While coastal watches were not in place, hazardous surf conditions persisted. Rain saturation may lead to landslides, although wind threats have diminished. The highest recorded rainfall was 43.54 inches on the northeast coast, with Mauna Kea recording wind gusts of 140 mph. Lower elevations saw winds ranging between 30 to 40 mph, with gusts reaching up to 60 mph.