Hurricane Local Statement
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Tropical Storm Lala Local Statement Advisory Number 8
National Weather Service Honolulu HI CP012026
1050 PM HST Thu Aug 13 2026
This product covers the Hawaiian islands
**LALA CONTINUING TO ADVANCE TOWARDS THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS AND IS
EXPECTED TO BECOME A HURRICANE**
NEW INFORMATION
---------------
* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- None
* 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 670 miles east-southeast of Honolulu or about 455 miles
east-southeast of Hilo
- 16.7N 148.9W
- Storm Intensity 60 mph
- Movement West-northwest or 290 degrees at 10 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------
Lala is expected strengthen to a hurricane and bring potentially
damaging winds, heavy flooding rainfall, and dangerously high surf to
portions of the state this weekend. Some impacts could be experienced
as early as Friday night on the Big Island of Hawaii and Maui. Lala
will then move directly over or just south of the Big Island of Hawaii
on Saturday and pass just south of the rest of the island chain
through Sunday. While the Big Island of Hawaii and Maui will be first
to experience impacts, damaging winds and heavy rainfall 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 on Maui County Saturday.
Damaging 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. Lala is expected to produce
widespread rainfall totals of 8 to 12 inches across the Big Island and
parts of Maui, with isolated areas on windward Big Island possibly
receiving more than 20 inches. Rainfall totals up to 8 inches are
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. 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, mainly on the Big Island of Hawaii.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------
* WIND:
Protect against life-threatening wind having possible extensive
impacts across the Big Island of Hawaii and Maui County. 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 the Big Island of Hawaii and Maui County. 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 the Big Island of Hawaii and Maui County.
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.
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 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
-----------
The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Honolulu HI around 5 AM HST, or sooner if conditions
warrant.