Hurricane Lala
Why in News?
Hurricane Lala strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane on 15 August 2026 while moving just offshore of Hawaii’s Big Island. It recorded maximum sustained winds of 75 mph.
The storm brought heavy rainfall, strong winds, power outages, flight cancellations, airport closures, and flood warnings across parts of Hawaii.
What is Hurricane Lala?
Hurricane Lala is a tropical cyclone affecting the central Pacific region. It intensified into a Category 1 hurricane as it approached Hawaii.
Under the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, a tropical cyclone becomes a hurricane when sustained winds reach at least 74 mph (119 km/h).
The scale classifies hurricanes from Category 1 to Category 5 based only on maximum sustained wind speed. It does not measure rainfall, storm surge, or flooding.
Rainfall and Flooding Risk
Forecasts on 15 August projected 10–20 inches of rainfall across the Big Island. Localised totals could reach 25 inches. Eastern Maui was forecast to receive around 8–12 inches of rainfall. Such intense rainfall increases the risk of flash floods, landslides, and rapid river rises. The Wailuku River in Hilo rose sharply during the storm. It reportedly increased from 3.4 feet to 16.2 feet between Friday night and Saturday morning. The Maunakea Weather Center also recorded wind gusts exceeding 100 mph.
Impact on Transport and Utilities
The storm disrupted Hawaii’s transport and utility networks. The Hawaii Department of Transportation closed both major airports on the Big Island at 2:00 p.m. HST.
These included Hilo International Airport and Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole.
More than 42,000 utility customers reportedly lost electricity across Hawaii. The Big Island accounted for more than 31,000 outages, while Maui County recorded over 7,200.
Hawaiian Airlines also cancelled several neighbour-island flights.
Hurricane Lala: Related Information
The Big Island, officially called Hawaii Island, is the largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago. Hilo lies on its eastern side, while Kona lies on the western side.
Hawaii’s geographical position in the central Pacific exposes the islands to tropical cyclones. These systems can produce heavy rainfall, flooding, landslides, coastal inundation, strong winds, and transport disruption.
The National Hurricane Center issues official tropical cyclone advisories for the Atlantic and eastern Pacific basins, while the Central Pacific Hurricane Center serves the central Pacific region around Hawaii.
Hurricane Lala: Exam-Oriented Facts
- Storm: Hurricane Lala.
- Date of Category 1 strengthening: 15 August 2026.
- Maximum sustained winds: 75 mph.
- Affected region: Hawaii, United States.
- Major affected island: Big Island/Hawaii Island.
- Forecast Big Island rainfall: 10–20 inches, locally up to 25 inches.
- Eastern Maui rainfall: 8–12 inches.
- Hurricane threshold: 74 mph sustained winds.
- Classification Scale: Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
- Major risks: Flooding, landslides, strong winds and power outages.
- Major Big Island airports: Hilo International Airport and Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole.
- Important river: Wailuku River.
- Geographical setting: Hawaii lies in the central Pacific Ocean.
