The Weather Channel’s Jim Cantore is in Hilo; a sure sign to take Tropical Storm Lala seriously

When The Weather Channel’s meteorologist Jim Cantore shows up with his crew, it universally signals to residents and emergency managers that a strong storm is zeroing in on their location.

On Wednesday, storm tracker Cantore arrived in Hilo Wednesday to report on the weather disturbance east-southeast of the Hawaiian Islands that ultimately developed into Tropical Storm Lala and is expected to strengthen into a hurricane.

Winds of more than 50 mph and rainfall up to 20 inches are predicted in some areas. Meteorologists and county officials are putting Lala on par with storms like Tropical Storm Iselle that knocked out power, uprooted massive albizia trees and flooded areas of the Puna District in 2014.

High surf, wind and rain are expected to arrive sometime Friday and continue through Saturday. The storm is predicted to mostly affect communities from North Kohala down to Ka‘ū.

Hawai‘i Gov. Josh Green on Thursday issued an emergency proclamation ahead of the storm’s arrival.

Bill Hanson, administrative officer for Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Agency, said the county had been monitoring Lala for days before it developed into a storm and entered the central Pacific.

With the weather system organizing into Lala on Thursday, Hanson said the county focused on pre-landfall preparations with agency partners as well as getting the message out to the public to be prepared for an emergency.

Cantore, who works out of Atlanta, Ga., said he’s been to the Hawaiian Islands several times for different storms, including Hurricane Lane, a Category 5 hurricane that impacted East Hawai‘i in August 2018 and flooded Hilo.

While Lala is not expected to make landfall, Cantore said the tropical storm will still bring potentially damaging rain and wind to portions of the Big Island, possibly like Lane, but not on the same scale.

Hurricane Lane reached Category 5 intensity while also becoming Hawai‘i’s wettest tropical cyclone on record. Lane rapidly weakened as it approached Hawai‘i Island, dropping torrential rains that triggered flooding and landslides.

“Lane holds your state record for rainfall at 50-some inches, and that never made landfall,” Cantore said.

While 50 inches of rain isn’t anticipated, the meteorologist predicts more than 15 inches of rain from Lala on Saturday, which could cause potential flooding.

“Just because the center (of the storm) doesn’t come in does not mean we won’t have impacts,” he said Thursday before the hurricane warning was issued. “We will have waves. We will have big surf.”

Cantore said the Big Island could also see winds gusting from 50 to 60 mph, which could bring trees and power lines down.

Cantore’s number one concern for the Big Island on Thursday morning was flooding followed by wind, which could result in power outages.

West Hawai‘i isn’t expected to see as severe impacts. Cantore said the only way the west side would see Lala weather is if the wind field was big enough to shift onshore.

The county has begun staging equipment and personnel in areas prone to flooding, making sure generators and vehicles are topped off with fuel and stockpiles of sand are available at a variety of locations for the public to pick up if needed to fill sandbags.

Emergency shelters will open starting at 6 p.m. on Friday at a variety of locations. Those who come to the shelter are advised to bring their own food, water and any necessary medicine.

For what you need to know about the storm, click here.

Because high winds are anticipated, Hanson said, the county coordinated with the State Department of Education to identify locations within the district that were “wind rated” and could be used for shelter.

Hanson agreed with Cantore’s comparison of Lala to Lane. He also said this impending storm has similarities to Hurricane Iselle, which was the first tropical cyclone to make landfall in 10 years after Hurricane Iniki hit Kaua‘i in 1992.

The storm peaked as a Category 4 hurricane in the Eastern Pacific and weakened to a tropical storm right before striking the Big Island on Aug. 9, 2014.

The storm produced waves of 25 feet, leading to significant run-up and causing total storm surge water levels to reach 8 to 10 feet above ground in some places in Puna. Most of the east- and southeast-facing slopes of the island recorded 6 to 10 inches of rain, with a large area receiving more than 12 inches.

Strong winds from the tropical storm also toppled a large number of invasive albizia trees, which damaged electrical infrastructure. More than 33,000 electric customers on the island lost power.

Total monetary loss from the storm ranged from $148 million to $325 million and 11 homes were destroyed while another 50 were damaged.

Hanson said the Civil Defense team also is comparing Lala to Iselle because it’s coming in a similar direction at the cusp of a hurricane/tropical storm.

Hanson emphasized now is the time to prepare. Residents should make sure they have enough food and water through the weekend, as well as medication, flashlights and access to a generator, in the event of a disruption of power.

The public is encouraged to text 888-777-HAWAII-ALERTS to start getting emergency alerts.