Tropical Storm Lala has formed in the Pacific Ocean, which forecasters say could strengthen into a hurricane as it approaches the Big Island of the Hawaiian archipelago, the Associated Press reports.
Cyclone Lala is located approximately 455 miles (about 732 km) from the city of Hilo, located on the Big Island. The maximum sustained wind speed is already 60 mph (about 97 km/h). For a tropical storm to be classified as a hurricane, wind speeds must reach 74 mph (about 119 km/h).
As the storm approaches, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green declared a state of emergency Thursday.
“I urge everyone to fortify their homes, stock up on essential supplies, reconsider family emergency plans and monitor reports from reliable official sources. Please take this storm seriously and help each other,” the governor said.
A hurricane warning has been issued for Hawaii County, located on the Big Island. Maui County, which includes the islands of Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Kaho'olawe, is under a tropical storm warning.
Maui and the Big Island are forecast to see 8 to 12 inches of rainfall, with parts of the Big Island receiving up to 25 inches. Such precipitation can cause life-threatening flash floods and landslides, especially in areas with steep terrain.
In addition, Lala could bring a storm surge of up to 3 feet (about 90 cm) off the coast, as well as high waves and dangerous rip currents, CBS News reports.
“If you live near the coast, the main danger is high waves. In other areas it may be strong winds. But there is also a threat of flooding. People have been warned about this, messages have already been sent out. Now we are preparing and waiting,” Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda told CBS News.
The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) predicts that Lala's center will not make direct landfall, but will pass slightly south of the Big Island.
As the storm moves roughly parallel to the Hawaiian Island chain, heavy rainfall could continue throughout the weekend. On Oahu, the most noticeable impacts from the weather are expected beginning Sunday.
As Fox Weather points out, Lala's formation comes amid a general increase in tropical activity in the Pacific Basin, which is partly due to the developing El Niño climate phenomenon.
On June 11, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced the formation of El Niño in the tropical Pacific Ocean and issued an official warning (El Niño Advisory). According to forecasts, the phenomenon may reach a level of moderate to severe intensity by the fall.
