Hurricane Local Statement
694
WTHW80 PHFO 161510
HLSHFO
HIZ001-003-004-006-007-009>011-015>018-022-023-026>054-162315-
Tropical Storm Lala Local Statement Advisory Number 17
National Weather Service Honolulu HI CP012026
510 AM HST Sun Aug 16 2026
This product covers the Hawaiian islands
**HEAVY RAINFALL AND GUSTY WINDS SPREADING OVER OAHU**
NEW INFORMATION
---------------
* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- None
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Big Island East, Big
Island Interior, Big Island North, Big Island South, Big Island
Southeast, Big Island Summits, Central Oahu, East Honolulu, Ewa
Plain, Haleakala Summit, Honolulu Metro, Kahoolawe, Kauai East,
Kauai Mountains, Kauai North, Kauai South, Kauai Southwest,
Kipahulu, Kohala, Kona, Koolau Leeward, Koolau Windward, 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, Niihau, Oahu
North Shore, Olomana, South Haleakala, South Maui/Upcountry,
Waianae Coast, Waianae Mountains, and Windward Haleakala
* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 80 miles south of Honolulu or about 140 miles
west-northwest of Kailua-Kona
- 20.2N 158.1W
- Storm Intensity 70 mph
- Movement Northwest or 305 degrees at 14 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------
Tropical Storm Lala continues to bring damaging winds, heavy rainfall
leading to flash flooding, and high surf to portions of the state.
Heavy rain associated with the tropical storm has spread across Maui
County into Oahu this morning and is expected to reach Kauai later
this morning. Rain rates are decreasing for the Big Island. The center
of Tropical Storm Lala is now located south of Oahu and will continue
generally westward as it tracks south of the island chain today. Do
not focus on the exact forecast track or intensity of Lala as impacts
extend well beyond the center of the tropical storm.
The heaviest rainfall associated with Tropical Storm Lala moved over
the islands of Lanai and Molokai over the past several hours and is
now moving into Oahu. The eastern and southern Big Island has seen
rainfall totals between 15 to 35 inches over the last 24 hours, but
rain rates have generally decreased to one inch per hour or less. The
threat for flooding continues for the Big Island and Maui County, is
beginning for Oahu, and will spread to Kauai and Niihau later this
morning. Heavy rainfall could persist into Monday for some areas,
mainly over the western end of the island chain. Lala is expected to
produce additional rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches across the Big
Island with 4 to 6 additional inches of rain for the smaller islands.
Locally higher amounts are possible. While the highest rainfall
amounts will be focused over windward areas and higher terrain,
leeward areas will also have a significant flood risk.
Sustained winds are generally 20 to 30 mph, with isolated mountain and
downslope locations, particularly on Molokai, experiencing gusts of
60 to 70 mph. A wind gust of 92 mph was recently observed at Mokolelau
on southern Molokai. Tropical storm conditions, with sustained winds
over 39 mph, are still expected across the state through this evening.
It is very important to note that the mountainous terrain of the
islands will likely produce localized areas of highly enhanced and
damaging winds, even well away from the tropical cyclone center.
East swell generated by Lala will produce elevated surf for east
facing shores today. Some increase in surf is also possible along
exposed south-facing shores today between Maui and Kauai as Lala
continues westward. Significant beach erosion and overwash are still
possible across vulnerable coastal infrastructure.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------
* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
Maui County, Oahu, and Kauai. Remain well sheltered from dangerous
wind having additional significant impacts. If
realized, these impacts include:
- Some damage to roofing and siding materials, along with damage
to porches, awnings, carports, and sheds. A few buildings
experiencing window, door, and garage door failures. Mobile
homes damaged, especially if unanchored. Unsecured lightweight
objects become dangerous projectiles.
- Several large trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater
numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Several
fences and roadway signs blown over.
- Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
or heavily wooded places. A few bridges, causeways, and access
routes impassable.
- Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent
in areas with above ground lines.
Potential impacts from the main wind event are also now unfolding
across the Big Island. Remain well sheltered from
hazardous wind having additional limited impacts.
* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
the Big Island of Hawaii, Maui County, and Oahu. Remain well guarded
against dangerous flood waters having additional significant impacts.
If realized, these impacts include:
- Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and
rescues.
- Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swifter
currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially
in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, canals,
arroyos, and ditches overflow.
- Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations.
Several places may experience expanded areas of rapid
inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage
areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving water as
storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions
become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures.
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
the rest of the state. Remain well guarded against locally hazardous
flood waters having additional limited impacts.
* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
Oahu and Kauai. Remain well away from locally hazardous surge having
possible limited impacts. If realized, these impacts 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.
* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across Maui
County, Oahu, and Kauai. Remain well braced against a tornado event
having possible limited impacts. If realized, these 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.
Elsewhere across the Hawaiian islands, little to no impact is
anticipated.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------
* EVACUATIONS:
Follow the advice of local officials
* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to stay inside and away from windows. Listen for
updates and be ready in case you lose electrical power. Keep a
battery-powered radio, charged cell phone and flashlight handy.
During the peak of the storm be ready to move quickly. Keep your
shoes on and rain gear handy. Boots and athletic shoes offer the best
foot protection if you become unexpectedly exposed to the weather.
Keep your cell phone charged and in power-saving mode. If you lose
power, use it sparingly and mainly for personal emergencies and
check-ins.
Do not be a thrill seeker or risk your life for senseless photos or
videos.
Quickly move to the safest place within your shelter if it begins to
fail, preferably an interior room on the lowest floor as long as
flooding is not a concern.
If you are prone to flooding, be prepared for the possibility of a
quick and dramatic rise in water levels.
* 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 8 AM HST, or sooner if conditions
warrant.