HONOLULU — Hurricane Lala has weakened to a tropical storm and is moving away from Hawaii, but its aftermath continues to disrupt the islands as widespread power outages, damaged homes, flooded roads and dangerous surf complicate recovery efforts.
The storm brushed the Big Island as a Category 1 hurricane on Saturday before weakening Sunday as it tracked west-northwest away from the state. Lala did not make landfall, but its rain bands and hurricane-force winds produced extensive damage across Hawaii County, Maui County and Honolulu County.
More than 180,000 electricity customers were without power at the height of the storm, according to Reuters, with the largest outages concentrated on the Big Island, Oʻahu and Maui. By Sunday evening, more than 150,000 customers remained without electricity, according to CNN.
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said at least 100 homes had been damaged or destroyed. The storm’s impact included downed power lines, damaged roofs, flooded neighborhoods, road closures, and disrupted air travel across the island chain.
Although Lala’s strongest winds have moved away, Hawaii emergency officials warned that the danger is not entirely over. A flood watch remained in effect for Kauaʻi, Oʻahu and Maui County as outer rain bands continued moving across the islands.
From hurricane to tropical storm
Lala strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane with winds of about 75 mph before approaching Hawaii’s Big Island on Saturday. The northern edge of the eyewall brushed South Point, the island’s southernmost area, while the storm’s center remained offshore.
The passage spared Hawaii from a direct landfall, but it did not spare residents from severe conditions. Hurricane-force wind gusts struck parts of the Big Island, while prolonged rain overwhelmed waterways and drainage systems.
By Sunday morning, the National Hurricane Center had downgraded Lala to a tropical storm. At 11 a.m. Hawaii time, the storm was about 140 miles west of Honolulu and moving west-northwest at about 16 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph.
Forecasters said the system was expected to remain a tropical storm through Monday and could potentially regain hurricane strength later in the week after it moved farther west of the island chain.
For Hawaii, the immediate concern is less about the storm’s central circulation than the continuing impacts of its remaining rain bands. Tropical systems can continue producing flash flooding, mudslides and dangerous coastal conditions even after their wind speeds diminish.
The National Hurricane Center forecast another 4 to 8 inches of rain across the Big Island and windward Maui after Lala weakened, potentially bringing storm totals in some locations to 30 to 35 inches.
Flooding, road damage and isolation
Lala’s rainfall was among the most serious elements of the storm. Forecasts had called for widespread totals of 10 to 20 inches on the Big Island and isolated accumulations of up to 25 inches. Some locations ultimately received close to three feet of rain.
Torrential rain can move rapidly down Hawaii’s volcanic terrain, turning normally modest streams into dangerous torrents. The combination of steep slopes, narrow valleys, and intense rainfall creates a high risk of flash flooding, landslides, and road washouts.
Hawaiʻi County officials said the storm produced flash flooding and wind damage unlike anything some local residents had experienced. In a Sunday news conference, officials described a rapid escalation from a handful of road closures to dozens, while power outages rose from roughly 15,000 customers to more than 65,000 across the island.
Communities were cut off as bridges and roads were damaged or closed. Emergency crews rescued residents stranded by floodwater, including a resident swept away by water and an ambulance crew that had become isolated during storm operations, according to local reporting.
The storm’s combination of damaged roads, downed trees and flooded crossings has complicated access to some areas. Public-safety agencies urged residents not to drive around barricades or attempt to cross floodwater, because washed-out pavement and debris may be hidden beneath the water’s surface.
Hawaiʻi County officials said Sunday that there had been no confirmed storm-related fatalities.
Widespread power outages
The scale of Lala’s power outages has made recovery more difficult. Reuters reported that nearly 130,000 Hawaii customers were without electricity early Sunday, while later estimates placed the number of outages above 180,000 at the storm’s peak.
Most affected customers were in Hawaii County, Honolulu County, and Maui County. Strong wind gusts downed trees and power lines, leaving homes and businesses without electricity and disrupting communications in some communities.
Power restoration after a hurricane or tropical storm can take days, particularly when crews must first assess damage, clear roads, and ensure that lines can be repaired safely. Utilities generally prioritize hospitals, emergency facilities, water systems, and other critical infrastructure before moving through neighborhood-level repairs.
Residents without power were encouraged to use generators only outdoors and away from windows and doors to avoid carbon-monoxide poisoning. Emergency officials also advised people to avoid touching downed lines, treat all fallen wires as energized and keep children and pets away from damaged electrical equipment.
The outages have also created secondary concerns. Refrigerated food can spoil during extended blackouts, cellphones and medical devices may need charging, and traffic signals can fail at busy intersections. Residents were urged to conserve fuel, check on vulnerable neighbors, and follow local guidance on cooling centers, shelters and charging locations.
Homes damaged and recovery begins
Gov. Green said at least 100 homes had been damaged or destroyed by Lala. The figure may change as local and state officials complete damage assessments.
Damage ranged from roof failures and wind-related structural impacts to flooding, and homes displaced from foundations. ABC News reported that strong winds and rain had swept around 100 homes off their foundations on the Big Island.
For affected families, the recovery process will likely include temporary shelter, insurance claims, home inspections, and efforts to recover essential belongings. Flood damage can be particularly difficult because it may affect foundations, electrical systems, plumbing, appliances and personal records long after visible water has receded.
State and county agencies are expected to assess whether the scale of damage qualifies Hawaii for additional federal assistance. Such support can help local governments fund emergency protective measures, debris removal, and recovery operations, though it does not immediately resolve the financial pressures facing individual households.
The storm also disrupted state operations. State and county offices, schools and courts were scheduled to close statewide Monday, with nonessential state employees receiving administrative leave while recovery efforts continue.
The closures reflect the broad impact of the storm and the need to keep roads clear for emergency crews, utility workers and residents handling immediate recovery needs.
Flights and travel disruptions
Hurricane Lala disrupted air travel across Hawaii, where aviation is essential for travel between islands and for connections with the mainland and international destinations.
During the storm’s approach, Hawaiian Airlines canceled 54 inter-island flights and 11 trans-Pacific flights, while additional airlines canceled or delayed service to airports across the state. More than 190 flights were postponed, Gov. Green said Saturday.
Hilo International Airport and Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole were closed during the height of the storm. Both Big Island airports reopened Sunday, but authorities and airlines warned passengers to check flight status before traveling because weather conditions, crew positioning and aircraft availability can continue to affect schedules after a storm.
Flight cancellations can have a ripple effect across the islands. Travelers may face missed connections, extended hotel stays, and limited rebooking options. Cargo delays can also affect deliveries of food, medicine and other supplies, especially for communities dependent on air transport.
Visitors were urged to stay in contact with airlines and lodging providers, follow official emergency guidance, and avoid traveling to airports without confirmed reservations or updated flight information.
What remains at risk
Lala’s departure does not mean conditions have returned to normal. A flood watch remained in place overnight for Kauaʻi, Oʻahu and Maui County, with additional rain possible even as the storm moved farther west.
Flood dangers can persist after tropical storms because rivers and streams may remain elevated, saturated slopes may be more susceptible to landslides and damaged roads may remain unsafe. Coastal hazards, including high surf and rip currents, can also continue after the center of a storm has passed.
Residents in affected areas were advised to continue monitoring National Weather Service alerts and state emergency-management updates. Avoid flooded roads, stay away from stream channels and shorelines and be cautious around damaged buildings, power lines and debris. The storm may be over, but the recovery will probably take longer.
Utilities must restore power, road crews must repair damaged infrastructure, and families must assess homes and property. For communities already affected by prolonged rain and strong winds, the coming days will be defined by cleanup, restoration, and the gradual return of basic services.
Hurricane Lala did not strike Hawaii with a direct landfall, but it demonstrated that a close pass can still become a major disaster. The storm’s legacy is already visible in widespread blackouts, damaged homes, flooded communities and a recovery effort that will continue long after Lala moves beyond the islands.