Tropical Storm Lala continues to track through the central Pacific Ocean and is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane as it approaches the Big Island of Hawaii on Saturday.
As of 11 p.m. ET, Lala was moving west-northwest at 14 mph with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph and is approximately 440 miles east-southeast of Honolulu, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Hawaii County — the Big Island — remains under a hurricane warning, according to the NHC.
Meanwhile, a tropical storm warning was issued for Maui County, including the islands of Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Kahoolawe, as well as Oahu and Kauai Counties, including the islands of Kauai and Niihau.
Lala is forecasted to continue gradually strengthening Friday into Saturday as it makes a close approach to the Big Island early Saturday.
Tropical Storm Lala continues to track through the central Pacific Ocean and is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane as it approaches the Big Island of Hawaii on Saturday.
NOAA
Hawaii braces for storm
At a press briefing on Friday, Hawaii officials urged residents to prepare for heavy rain, damaging winds and flooding.
“This is a serious moment,” Gov. Josh Green said Friday during the briefing with state, county and federal emergency officials.
About 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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Green signed an emergency proclamation allowing the state to quickly use resources from a $100 million disaster fund.
Schools and state education offices on Hawaii Island, Maui, Lanai and Molokai were closing for the weekend, with events canceled.
Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda said shelters would open at 6 p.m. and would accept pets. Beaches, parks, landfills and transfer stations were closing through Saturday, and mass transit service was being suspended.
Latest forecast
Heavy rainfall and gusty winds were expected to begin impacting the Big Island Friday, bringing the possibility of life-threatening mudslides and landslides, especially across areas with steep terrain.
Hurricane conditions were expected on the Big Island on Saturday.
Lala is forecast to bring 8 to 12 inches of rain across Maui and the Big Island, with totals reaching up to 25 inches in the higher elevations of the Big Island. The remainder of the Hawaiian Islands are forecasted to receive 4 to 6 inches of rainfall.
Large and dangerous surf, especially on the Big Island, is also expected this weekend. The greatest impacts are expected along exposed windward and southern shores. The prolonged period of heavy surf may cause localized coastal flooding and significant beach erosion.
