Hurricane Local Statement
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Tropical Storm Lala Local Statement Advisory Number 7
National Weather Service Honolulu HI CP012026
506 PM HST Thu Aug 13 2026
This product covers the Hawaiian islands
**HURRICANE WARNING FOR THE BIG ISLAND AND TROPICAL STORM WATCH FOR
MAUI COUNTY AS TROPICAL STORM LALA MOVES TOWARDS THE HAWAIIAN
ISLANDS**
NEW INFORMATION
---------------
* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Hurricane Warning has been issued for Big Island East, Big
Island Interior, Big Island North, Big Island South, Big Island
Southeast, Big Island Summits, Kohala, and Kona
- A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for for Haleakala Summit,
Kahoolawe, Kipahulu, Lanai Leeward, Lanai Mauka, Lanai South,
Lanai Windward, Maui Central Valley North, Maui Central Valley
South, Maui Leeward West, Maui Windward West, Molokai Leeward
South, Molokai North, Molokai Southeast, Molokai West, Molokai
Windward, South Haleakala, South Maui/Upcountry, and Windward
Haleakala
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Big Island East, Big
Island Interior, Big Island North, Big Island South, Big Island
Southeast, Big Island Summits, Kohala, and Kona
- A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Haleakala Summit,
Kahoolawe, Kipahulu, Lanai Leeward, Lanai Mauka, Lanai South,
Lanai Windward, Maui Central Valley North, Maui Central Valley
South, Maui Leeward West, Maui Windward West, Molokai Leeward
South, Molokai North, Molokai Southeast, Molokai West, Molokai
Windward, South Haleakala, South Maui/Upcountry, and Windward
Haleakala
* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 770 miles east-southeast of Honolulu or about 550 miles
east-southeast of Hilo
- 16.2N 147.5W
- Storm Intensity 60 mph
- Movement West-northwest or 295 degrees at 12 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------
Tropical Storm Lala is expected to continue to intensify as it moves
towards the main Hawaiian Islands. As the system nears the islands it
will bring heavy rainfall, high surf, and potentially damaging winds
this weekend. Some impacts from Lala could be experienced as early as
Friday, mainly over the eastern end of the island chain. Lala may move
directly over portions of the state Saturday and Sunday. While the Big
Island of Hawaii and Maui County would likely be first to experience
impacts, impacts will be possible statewide. Do not focus on the exact
forecast track or intensity of Lala at this time, and be prepared for
changes in future forecasts.
Damaging tropical storm force winds may begin as early as Friday night
across parts of the Big Island of Hawaii, and Maui County on Saturday.
Tropical storm force winds could spread westward to the rest of the
state later Saturday and Sunday. It is important to note that the
mountainous terrain of the islands can produce localized areas of
highly enhanced and damaging winds, even well away from the tropical
cyclone center.
Flooding rain will be possible as early as Friday night on the Big
Island of Hawaii, and Saturday for Maui County. The threat of flooding
will spread to the rest of the state later Saturday and Sunday, and
heavy rainfall could persist into Monday for some areas, mainly over
the western end of the island chain. 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 up to 8 inches possible across the remainder
of the island chain. While the highest rainfall amounts will be
focused over windward areas, leeward areas will also have a
significant flood risk.
Large swells generated by Lala will build late Friday and produce
dangerous surf along exposed east and southeast shores, especially on
the Big Island of Hawaii and Maui. Very large and extremely rough seas
are expected to rapidly increase Saturday and Sunday on exposed
southeast and east shores and may produce damaging surf, significant
beach erosion, and overwash across vulnerable coastal infrastructure.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------
* WIND:
Protect against life-threatening wind having possible extensive
impacts across Maui County and the Big Island of Hawaii. Potential impacts in
this area include:
- Considerable roof damage to sturdy buildings, with some having
window, door, and garage door failures leading to structural
damage. Mobile homes severely damaged, with some destroyed.
Damage accentuated by airborne projectiles. Locations may be
uninhabitable for weeks.
- Many large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and
roadway signs blown over.
- Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
or heavily wooded places. Several bridges, causeways, and
access routes impassable.
- Large areas with power and communications outages.
Also, protect against dangerous wind having possible limited to
significant elsewhere in the state of Hawaii.
* SURGE:
Protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited
impacts across Maui County and the Big Island of Hawaii. Potential impacts in
this area include:
- Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along
immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas
farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore.
- Sections of near-shore roads and parking lots become overspread
with surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places where
surge water covers the road.
- Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainly
in usually vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents.
- Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks,
and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings.
Elsewhere across the Hawaiian islands, little to no impact is
anticipated.
* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across Maui County and the Big Island of Hawaii. Potential
impacts include:
- Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues.
- Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in
multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, arroyos, and
ditches may become dangerous rivers. In mountain areas,
destructive runoff may run quickly down valleys while
increasing susceptibility to rockslides and mudslides. Flood
control systems and barriers may become stressed.
- Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple
communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed
away. Many places where flood waters may cover escape routes.
Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with
underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous.
Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out.
Protect against dangerous rainfall flooding having possible limited
to significant impacts across the remainder of the state of Hawaii.
* TORNADOES:
Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts
across the Big Island of Hawaii. Potential impacts include:
- The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution
of emergency plans during tropical events.
- A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power
and communications disruptions.
- Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings, chimneys
toppled, mobile homes pushed off 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.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------
* EVACUATIONS:
Listen to local officials for recommended preparedness actions,
including possible evacuations. If ordered to evacuate, do so
immediately.
* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to complete all preparations to protect life and
property in accordance with your emergency plan. Ensure you are in a
safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding.
If you are relocating to safe shelter, leave as early as possible.
Allow extra time to reach your destination. Many roads and bridges
will be closed once strong winds arrive. Check the latest weather
forecast before departing and drive with caution.
If heading to a community shelter, become familiar with the shelter
rules before arrival, especially if you have special needs or have
pets. Take essential items with you from your Emergency Supplies Kit.
Failure to adequately shelter may result in serious injury or loss of
life. Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with any
orders that are issued. Remember, during the storm 9 1 1 Emergency
Services may not be able to immediately respond if conditions are
unsafe. This should be a big factor in your decision making.
Keep cell phones well charged. Cell phone chargers for automobiles
can be helpful, but be aware of your risk for deadly carbon monoxide
poisoning if your car is left idling in a garage or other poorly
ventilated area.
It is important to remain calm, informed, and focused during an
emergency. Be patient and helpful with those you encounter.
If you are a visitor, be sure to know the name of the city or town in
which you are staying and the name of the county or parish in which
it resides. Listen for these locations in local news updates. Pay
attention for instructions from local authorities.
Storm surge is the leading killer associated with tropical storms and
hurricanes! Make sure you are in a safe area away from the surge
zone. Even if you are not in a surge-prone area, you could find
yourself cutoff by flood waters during and after the storm. Heed
evacuation orders issued by the local authorities.
Rapidly rising flood waters are deadly. If you are in a flood-prone
area, consider moving to higher ground. Never drive through a flooded
roadway. Remember, turn around don't drown!
If a Tornado Warning is issued for your area, be ready to shelter
quickly, preferably away from windows and in an interior room not
prone to flooding. If driving, scan the roadside for quick shelter
options.
If in a place that is vulnerable to high wind, such as near large
trees, a manufactured home, upper floors of a high-rise building, or
on a boat, consider moving to a safer shelter before the onset of
strong winds or flooding.
Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets
for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes
to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather
warnings.
* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
- For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov
- For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org
- For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org
NEXT UPDATE
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The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Honolulu HI around 11 PM HST, or sooner if conditions
warrant.