Updated 1w+ ago · Other
Tropical Storm Lala Kills 1, Causes Severe Flooding in Hawaii
Tropical Storm Lala was already battering Hawaii's Big Island early Saturday and is expected to strengthen into a hurricane before landfall — the first on the island in 155 years.
- 65 mph sustained winds were recorded Friday; Category 1 threshold is 74 mph.
- 25 inches of rain are possible at higher elevations on the Big Island.
- Tropical storm-force winds extend up to 220 miles from the storm's center.
- A hurricane warning covers the Big Island; Maui County is under a tropical storm warning.
Why it matters: The storm threatens an area that is remote, rural, and increasingly populated — with many residents in unpermitted structures and communities still recovering from severe flooding in March.
- Life-threatening flooding, mudslides, storm surge, and dangerous surf are all forecast.
- Dry conditions outside the storm raise wildfire risk; the 2023 Lahaina fire, during a hurricane far to Hawaii's south, killed dozens and destroyed much of the town.
How 41 sources split on this story
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41 sources · 89 articles · 46% Center coverage
Where they split: Coverage agrees on the facts; the main uncertainty is whether Lala will make direct landfall or pass just south of the Big Island.
Center coverage, 19 sources: The center focuses on storm metrics, forecast precision, and the practical question of whether Lala will cross land at all.
USA Today1w+Hurricane Lala unleashes flooding rains, winds on Hawaii: Live updatesThe National Desk1w+Hurricane Lala weakens to tropical storm but still batters Hawaii with rain and surgesAssociated Press1w+Lala is again a tropical storm, sending drenching rain and winds across the Hawaiian islandsYahoo News1w+Thousands without power and at least 100 homes damaged after Tropical Storm Lala lashes HawaiiCTV News1w+Thousands without power and at least 100 homes damaged after Tropical Storm Lala lashes HawaiiDeutsche Welle1w+US: Hurricane Lala brings Hawaii heavy rain, strong windsJerusalem Post1w+Hurricane Lala leaves thousands without power in Hawaii amid 'life-threatening' conditionsNewsweek1w+Hurricane lala tracker as storm sparks power outage in HawaiiPBS NewsHour1w+Lala is again a tropical storm, sending drenching rain and winds across the Hawaiian islandsReuters1w+More than 100,000 without power in Hawaii as Lala downgraded to tropical stormWKBN Youngstown1w+Hawaii's Big Island lashed by rain and wind as Tropical Storm Lala closes inWPXI Pittsburgh1w+Lala is again a tropical storm, sending drenching rain and winds across the Hawaiian islandsBBC News1w+Storm Lala: Hawaii braces for potential first direct hit by a hurricane in 34 yearsFrance 241w+US : Hawaii narrowly avoids direct hit as Hurricane Lala brings strong weatherKSAT 12 San Antonio1w+Hawaii's Big Island lashed by rain and wind as Tropical Storm Lala closes inNPR1w+Lala is again a tropical storm, sending drenching rain and winds across HawaiiPennLive1w+Hawaii faces a rare hurricane threat. Lala is getting strongerSky News1w+Hurricane Lala hits Hawaii - with 89,000 losing powerWGAL 81w+Lala strengthens into a hurricane and bears down on Hawaii’s Big Island
Left coverage, 11 sources: The left emphasizes vulnerability of rural and off-grid communities, lingering trauma from the 2023 Lahaina fire, and the compounding stress of March flooding on residents least equipped to recover.
Los Angeles Times1w+Lala weakens to tropical storm, but rain and winds batter HawaiiThe Independent1w+Mass power outages in Hawaii as deadly storm Lala lashes Big IslandCNN1w+1 dead, thousands without power as Tropical Storm Lala lashes HawaiiSan Francisco Chronicle1w+Homes swept away in Hawaii as Hurricane Lala unleashes feet of rainAl Jazeera1w+Hurricane Lala weakens to a tropical storm, but flooding persists in HawaiiThe Boston Globe1w+Lala sends up to 3 feet of rain onto Hawaii, turning rivers into raging torrentsCleveland.com1w+Hawaii faces a rare hurricane threat. Lala is getting strongerHuffPost1w+Tropical Storm Lala Could Be Hurricane By Time It Hits Hawaii's Big IslandNBC News1w+Deadly storms in Hawaii and Indiana and Blanche open to legal fight over voter rolls: Weekend RundownThe Guardian1w+Hurricane Lala skirts Hawaii’s Big Island as heavy wind and rain lash regionThe New York Times1w+As Lala Lashes Hawaii, the Atlantic Hurricane Season Remains Calm. So Far.
Right coverage, 11 sources: The right highlights official warnings and government preparedness messaging, while noting the storm's historic rarity and the El Niño conditions driving heightened Pacific hurricane activity.
The Epoch Times1w+Tropical Storm Lala Nears Hawaii’s Oahu After Hitting Maui, Big Island OvernightNTD1w+Lala Is Again Tropical Storm, Sending Drenching Rain and Winds Across Hawaiian IslandsNew York Post1w+Tropical storm Lala kills 1, sweeps away homes as flooding hits HawaiiNewsmax1w+Hurricane Lala Brushes Past Hawaii's Big Island, Bringing Heavy RainDaily Mail1w+Hurricane Lala kills at least one in Hawaii as rapid moving floods sweep away homes in America's Pacific paradiseJust the News1w+Lala skirts Hawaii's Big Island, downgraded to tropical storm – 1 dead, thousands without powerOne America News1w+Lala leaves thousands without power, one dead, despite downgrading to tropical stormThe Daily Wire1w+Hurricane Lala Kills One, Rips Homes Off Their Foundations In HawaiiThe Sun1w+Hawaii in state of emergency as monster 75mph Hurricane Lala set to smash Big Island in first direct hit for 155 yearsThe Washington Times1w+Hawaii's Big Island lashed by rain and wind as Tropical Storm Lala closes inZeroHedge1w+Hawaii Braces For Direct Tropical Storm Hit On Big Island
What’s next: AccuWeather predicts Lala will pass within 10 miles of the island, just to the south.
- The storm's core is expected near South Point Saturday, then south of smaller islands Sunday.
- Tropical storm-force winds could reach Oahu and Kauai by Sunday morning.
- Will Lala make direct landfall or track just south — and how much will that difference affect damage?
- How prepared are off-grid residents in the Big Island's rural south, where enforcement of building codes is limited?
- Could Lala shift northward toward more populated islands, as Hurricane Iniki did in 1992?
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