Hurricane Iniki: Hawaii’s record-breaking storm of 1992
Tropical Storm Lala is strengthening and could grow into a hurricane as it approaches Hawaii, with advisories warning of dangerous flooding and potential impacts on the Big Island. Forecasters say heavy rainfall and high winds may arrive this weekend.
Hurricane Lala has strengthened to Category 1 and has battered Hawaii’s Big Island with heavy rain and strong winds, causing at least one death, widespread power outages and multiple homes damaged; tropical-storm warnings have affected Maui, Oahu and Kauai while forecasts predict the storm should clear the islands by Monday morning HST.
Hurricane Lala has been upgraded to Category 1 with 75 mph winds. The eyewall could pass near the Big Island’s southern tip this evening, threatening heavy rain and mudslides at high elevations. Officials warn of life-threatening floods, with tropical-storm-force winds reaching Oahu and Kauai by Sunday. Shelters have opened and advisories issued across Maui, Oahu, Kauai and neighboring islands.
A hurricane is tracking toward southwestern Mexico as it fuels on record-strong El Niño waters. NOAA says Polo remains an extremely dangerous Category 5 storm, with potential for heavy rain, flooding and dangerous surf along the Pacific coast; no landfall is expected but residents face urgent warnings.