Tourists and residents in Honolulu have been urged by authorities to complete their storm preparations after a horror Tropical Storm Warning was issued. Making its way to the Hawaiian Islands, Tropical Storm Lala is expected to bring winds of 39 to 73 mph within the next 36 hours or less.
Forecasters warn the system could bring 20 to 30 centimetres of rain to Maui and the Big Island, with isolated totals of up to 64 centimetres possible on the Big Island. The heavy rainfall could trigger life-threatening flooding and mudslides, the National Hurricane Center said. The storm was upgraded to a Tropical Storm Warning on Friday evening local time.
Lala is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane as it approaches Hawaiʻi Island, with the storm expected to pass near the island on Saturday local time.
Residents and tourists are being urged by the City and County of Honolulu to prepare for strong winds, heavy rainfall, flooding, and dangerous ocean conditions this weekend.
People should finish securing their homes and property, make sure they have necessary medications and emergency supplies as well as charging their phones and backup batteries, the warning urges.
At 8am on Saturday (7pm BST), eight hurricane refuge areas will open at Blanche Pope Elementary School, Castle High School, Kahuku Elementary School, Kapolei High School, Mililani High School, Moanalua High School, Roosevelt and Nānākuli Elementary School.
The City and County of Honolulu’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and the Honolulu Police Department’s Joint Operations Center (JOC) have been fully operational since 7am Friday (6pm BST Friday), bringing together City departments, first responders and emergency management personnel to coordinate operations, monitor conditions across Oʻahu and deploy resources as needed.
Residents should closely monitor official information from the National Weather Service, Central Pacific Hurricane Centre and the City and County of Honolulu and be prepared to act as conditions change.
The City and County of Honolulu says they will provide its next update at 10am today (9pm BST) or sooner if conditions warrant.