Tropical Storm Lala just 200 miles from South Point; forecast to bring hurricane conditions to Big Island

Updated at 8 p.m. on Aug. 14

The Big Island is forecast to have hurricane conditions on Saturday, bringing heavy rains, high winds, strong surf and possible flooding, according to the Friday 8 p.m. advisory of the National Hurricane Center.

The center of Tropical Storm Lala is about 200 miles east-southeast of South Point of the Big Island and moving west-northwest at 13 mph. This general motion is expected to continue for the next couple of days, taking the core of Lala near South Point on Saturday around 2 p.m. and then south of the smaller islands on Sunday.

Lala still has maximum sustained winds of 65 mph with higher gusts. Steady strengthening continues to be forecast, with Lala expected to become a hurricane as it approaches the Big Island.

“While the Big Island of Hawai‘i will likely experience the greatest impacts, damaging winds and
heavy rainfall will be possible across the entire state this weekend,” according to the National Weather Service.

A flood watch begins Friday night for the Big Island. This means conditions are favorable for flooding to occur. There could be life-threatening flooding.

There is a high surf warning for east-facing shores of the Big Island through Saturday night. Medium-period swell generated by Tropical Storm Lala will begin to quickly build Friday night. By Saturday morning, east-facing surf for the Big Island increases to warning criteria.

Maui County, including the islands of Maui, Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi and Kahoʻolawe, Oʻahu and Kauaʻi County, including the islands of Kauaʻi and Niʻihau, are all under a tropical storm warning.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 220 miles from the center.

Central Pacific Hurricane Center forecasters say preparations to protect life and property on the island should be rushed to completion.

Residents and others elsewhere throughout the main islands and in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument should keep monitoring Lala’s progress.

Expected hazards from Lala

• Wind: Hurricane conditions are expected on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi on Saturday, with tropical storm conditions expected in Maui County Saturday night. Tropical storm conditions are possible in Oʻahu and Kauaʻi counties by Sunday morning. Wind speeds atop mountains and on the windward and leeward slopes are often up to 30 percent stronger than the near-surface winds indicated in this advisory, and in some elevated locations could be even greater.

• Rainfall: Tropical Storm Lala is expected to produce rainfall totals of 8 to 12 inches across Maui and the Big Island, with maximum totals of 25 inches possible across the Big Island. Rainfall totals of 4 to 6 inches with maximum amounts of 8 inches are expected across the remainder of the island chain. This rainfall may produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain.

• Surf: Swells generated by Lala are already building along east-facing shores and will continue to increase through the weekend. Swells will also build along exposed southern shores as Lala passes south of the islands. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

• Storm surge: The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach 1 to 3 feet above ground in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide.

The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast, where the surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves. Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances.

• Isolated tornadoes: Twisters are possible around the Big Island, which could hinder execution or emergency plans, cause damage as well as power and communications disruptions. Roofs peeled off buildings, chinmeys toppled, mobile homes pushed off their foundations or overturned, large tree tops and branches snapped off, shallow-rooted trees knocked over, moving vehicles blown off roads and small boats pulled from moorings are all potential impacts from a tornado if one should strike.

Visit the National Weather Service Honolulu forecast office website to check on specific storm details for expected storms hazards your area plus any advisories, watches or warnings among additional forecast information.