At least one person has died in a car crash related to Tropical Storm Lala, which hit Hawaii, Gov. Josh Green said. The natural disaster led to heavy rains, floods and power outages, prompting the declaration of a state of emergency.
Meteorologists and the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency classified the hurricane as a Category 1 hurricane as strong winds and heavy rain spread throughout the archipelago, with maximum wind speeds reaching 80 mph (128 kph). The hurricane later weakened to tropical storm status.
Hurricane Lala blasts the Hawaiian Islands as a Category 1 hurricane, unleashing rare and dangerous impacts on the state with violent flooding and damaging winds.
At least one person was killed in a storm-related car accident, according to an update from Governor Josh Green.
— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 16, 2026
The storm destroyed at least two homes, and trees were snapped and uprooted, falling onto roads and power lines. According to PowerOutage.us, 130,785 homes and businesses in Hawaii were without power Sunday morning, accounting for 25.61% of all customers. At the peak of the blackout, almost 70% of the Big Island (also known as just Hawaii) was without power, Fox Weather notes.
Heavy rain hitting the Big Island and Maui resulted in up to 20 inches (50 cm) of rainfall, making flash flooding and landslides a major concern. The eastern and southern shores of the archipelago were hit by waves with peak heights of up to 30 feet (9 m) and a storm surge of about 3 feet (about 1 m). Because of this, erosion of the coastline and damage to beaches began. The storm is moving northwest at 15 mph (24 kph), according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
“Lala is expected to bring additional precipitation of 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 cm) to the Big Island and windward Maui, with maximum rainfall amounts of 30 to 35 inches (75 to 90 cm) on the windward portion of the Big Island. The rest of the archipelago is expected to receive 4 to 6 inches (10 to 20 cm) of rainfall. This precipitation will lead to life-threatening flooding and landslides, especially in areas with steep slopes,” the NWS forecast said.
The state remains under a tropical storm warning for Maui, Oahu and Kauai counties. These include the islands of Maui, Lanai, Molokai, Kahoolawe, Kauai and Niihau. A flood warning is also in effect for Maui.
Four moments from my #Hurricane #LALA chase in the Big Island of #Hawaii:
*In the parking lot of Green Sand Beach, 0.7 nmi NE of South Point, as the hurricane's center made its closest approach the S tip of the Big Island.
* Horses out on the highway, fending for… pic.twitter.com/qCf2QZtdA1— Josh Morgerman (@iCyclone) August 16, 2026
Flooding also continues in the US state of Indiana. As RTVI previously reported, a derecho swept through the Midwest region – a series of storms that left destruction along one long line. As ABC News reports, citing Indiana authorities, the number of victims of bad weather in the state has increased to six, and the water will not recede for at least another day.
