Big Island Storm Intensifies, Bringing Heavy Rain and Winds, Evacuations on the Rise
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The storm is bringing heavy rain and damaging wind to the Big Island. Lala has weakened to a tropical storm, according to the National Weather Service (NWS), after it earlier had strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane, resulting in flooding across the Hawaiian Islands and causing at least one death.
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BBC NewsPublished Hawaii is facing flash floods that may have swept some homes away after category one Hurricane Lala skirted Big Island, as it continues to grapple with strong winds and torrential rain.
The Daily WireLala, since downgraded to tropical storm status, battered several of the islands with strong winds and heavy rains without officially making landfall on any of them. Roughly 65% of electric customers on the Big Island were without power Sunday morning, and more than 130,000 households were dark across Hawaii’s three largest islands, according to NPR. A flood watch remains in effect for Oahu, Kauai and Niihau through late Sunday night.
NPR NewsHurricane Lala weakened to a tropical storm Sunday after skirting Hawaii without making landfall, but it wasn't done punishing the Big Island with hurricane-force gusts. Total rainfall of nearly three feet (one meter) was expected on the higher windward slopes, turning rivers into raging torrents and threatening mudslides.
PBS NewsHourCleanup begins in Hawaii after intense rain and flooding from Hurricane Lala Lala weakened from a hurricane to a tropical storm Sunday after lashing the state without making landfall.
New York TimesWhat We Know About Damages From Hurricane Lala in Hawaii The storm narrowly missed land, but its outer bands left the Big Island with power outages, road closures and flooded homes.
Associated PressHONOLULU (AP) — Tropical Storm Lala left behind a muddy mess Monday caused by intense rainfall and flooding as it moved past Hawaii’s main islands.
The Guardian USClean-up efforts started on Hawaii after Hurricane Lala rolled past the Big Island and dumped heavy rain across the US Pacific state.
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An additional 4 to 6 inches of rain for the Hawaiian Islands is expected through Sunday and into Monday, with localized spots possibly getting up to 8 inches.
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NPR NewsThe hurricane center predicted 8 to 12 inches (20.3 to 30.5 centimeters) of total rainfall across Maui and the lower elevations of the Big Island, and 4 to 6 inches (10.2 to 15.2 centimeters) across the island chain.
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More than 130,000 households were without power Sunday morning across Hawaii's three largest islands, according to the utility tracker poweroutage.us. At least three hospitals were operating on generator power, Gov. Josh Green said.
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BBC NewsGreen said three hospitals had also lost power but had backup generators. In Maui, some residents have also been left without water supply as of Saturday afternoon.
ABC NewsMore than 129,700 utility customers remain without power across Hawaii on Sunday morning, with the majority in Hawaii County, according to PowerOutage.us.
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“Officers are directing traffic and closing unsafe roadways. Crews have responded to numerous downed trees and debris, including multiple trees that fell along Pali Highway,” the statement read. “HPD is also coordinating with the Hawaiʻi National Guard and other first responder agencies. National Guard all-terrain vehicles capable of navigating high water and flooded areas have been strategically pre-positioned across the island and are ready for rapid deployment if needed.”
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ABC NewsAbout 180 Hawaii National Guard members were activated and positioned across the state to support rescue operations. High-water vehicles were also placed in each county, and additional military and federal resources were available if needed.
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El Niño, a natural climate pattern when sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean become unusually warm, tends to promote hurricane activity in the Pacific while suppressing it in the Atlantic.
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New York TimesAs Lala Lashes Hawaii, the Atlantic Hurricane Season Remains Calm. So Far. An El Niño weather pattern is expected to limit activity into the fall, providing a stabilizing force.
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Now Playing Hawaii braces for impact from Lala 02:14 UP NEXT Hundreds evacuated as Indiana flood threat expands 02:05 Manhunt for trio accused of ‘tomb raiding’ in multiple states 01:24 Good News: ‘Spectrum Sailing’ camp promotes confidence and community 01:38 Growing debate as major school district scales back screen time 02:29 5 killed in deadly Michigan shooting spree 01:35 Iran urges U.S. to ‘accept the reality of defeat’ 02:12 Dozens killed after powerful Indonesia earthquake 01:14 Army temporarily grounds Apache helicopter training flights 00:54 Tropical Storm Lala set to slam Hawaii 01:04 Trump downplays concerns about living conditions on aircraft carrier 01:33 Flood threat rising in the Midwest 01:47 Great Americans: A conversation with Statue of Liberty park ranger Reneel Langdon 02:54 Surveillance video shows brazen art heist in Italy 01:16 Shots fired on Houston street 01:01 Luigi Mangione admits to killing CEO 02:44 Granddaughter drives through the night to surprise grandma at final chemo treatment 01:15 Pregnant women having to travel further to deliver 02:37 USS Abraham Lincoln to head home amid concerns about living conditions 01:33 Luigi Mangione expected to plead guilty in federal case 02:23
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Residents were repeatedly urged by officials to prepare for the storm early. Local message boards on Facebook show residents filling bags with sand to protect their homes and inquiring about whether stores remained open in the early hours of Saturday.
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NPR NewsResidents prepared for worst As the hurricane approached, shelters were opened, events were canceled and ranchers were urged to leave their cattle in pastures rather than structures that might collapse. Many residents are still dealing with the aftermath of devastating floods in March and were taking precautions.
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Independent claims that didn't surface elsewhere in our corpus. Treat as supplementary — not corroborated across outlets.
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01 ABC News At one point, rain was falling at a rate of 3 to 5 inches per hour in some areas, according to the NWS.
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02 NBC News Nightly News Woman jumps to escape Berlin high-rise fire 00:58 U.S. military denies supply crisis on Navy ship 01:49 Now Playing Hawaii flooded by Lala with thousands without power 02:12 UP NEXT World Cup reignites NFL turf debate 02:09 Good News: Dad breaks World Record for mile run while pushing stroller 01:28 Chaos as L.A. street takeover leads to looting 01:27
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03 Associated Press There were no coastal watches or warnings in effect for Hawaii on Monday as cleanup efforts were expected to begin, but life-threatening surf and rip current conditions remained, according to the National Hurricane Center. Saturation caused heavy rainfall could still cause some landslides, but winds were no longer a threat, National Weather Service meteorologist Patrick Blood said.
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04 The Guardian US Josh Green, Hawaii’s governor, said officials are still investigating whether there had been any storm-related deaths.
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05 BBC News Tens of thousands of properties have been left without power and officials have warned people to prepare for "life-threatening" conditions, including mudslides, as the storm continues moving westward to the south of Hawaii.
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06 The Daily Wire Up to eight inches of rain may still fall on Kauai, and tropical storm warnings remain in effect across the entire state.
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07 NPR News Mike Caputo, who lives in Keaau, near the Big Island's east coast, said his power generator was ready and a 10,000-gallon (37.8 kiloliter) home water tank was full. His main concern was flash flooding and fallen trees, especially albizia, a common tree.
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