Hurricane Lala Brings Heavy Rain, Flooding, and Damage to Hawaii

Hawaii’s Big Island narrowly avoided a direct hit from Hurricane Lala in mid-August 2026. However, the storm passed just south of the island on August 15 as a Category 1 hurricane and still caused widespread damage. The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale classifies Category 1 hurricanes as having sustained winds of 74 to 95 miles per hour.

Hurricane Lala produced exceptionally heavy rainfall across parts of the Big Island, increasing the threat of flash flooding, landslides, and debris flows. By the morning of August 17, the storm’s highest reported rainfall total reached 43.55 inches (110.6 centimeters) at Laupāhoehoe, on the coast northwest of Hilo, according to the National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center.

The hurricane toppled trees, damaged bridges, and contributed to severe structural damage, including a home that was reportedly swept from its foundation. Large waves battered coastal communities, while powerful surf reached the summit of Mauna Kea. The mountain rises more than 13,000 feet (4,000 meters) above sea level, where the storm’s cold, moisture-rich air even produced snowfall. Read more about snow on Mauna Kea.

By the early afternoon of August 16, the storm had moved northwest and was traveling roughly parallel to the Hawaiian island chain, southwest of Kauai. At that time, Lala had weakened into a tropical storm with sustained winds of approximately 65 miles per hour (105 kilometers per hour), according to the National Hurricane Center.

Hurricane Lala Causes Widespread Power Outages and Flooding

Although Hawaii Island experienced some of the most severe impacts, other Hawaiian islands also faced damaging winds, intense rainfall, flooding, and dangerous surf. Strong winds caused widespread power outages, affecting approximately 220,000 customers. Reports indicated that some outages could last for weeks or even months. Floodwaters, mud, and debris also made roads impassable and damaged critical infrastructure across the islands.

El Niño Contributed to an Active Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season

The eastern Pacific has experienced an active tropical cyclone season in 2026. Meteorologists have noted the unusually active conditions, which are consistent with the ongoing El Niño climate pattern.

During El Niño events, warmer-than-average waters in the equatorial Pacific Ocean provide tropical disturbances with additional moisture and energy. Lower-than-normal vertical wind shear in parts of the eastern Pacific can also allow tropical cyclones to develop and strengthen. By contrast, the Atlantic hurricane season has remained relatively quiet. El Niño typically increases wind shear over the Atlantic and Caribbean, disrupting the upward motion needed for hurricanes to form and intensify.

NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using data from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS), NASA’s Land, Atmosphere Near real-time Capability for EOS (LANCE), GIBS/Worldview, and the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS). Story by Lindsay Dorman.

Sources

• AccuWeather (August 17, 2026), Lala and Hawaii’s recent close encounter continues to cause problems on Monday. Accessed August 17, 2026.
• Colorado State University (August 17, 2026), Tropical cyclone activity in the Northern Hemisphere in 2026. Accessed August 17, 2026.
• Honolulu Civil Beat (August 16, 2026), Lala’s wrath: Homes swept away, some power outages may last for months. Accessed August 17, 2026.
• National Hurricane Center (August 17, 2026), Hurricane Lala Advisory Archive. Accessed August 17, 2026.
• Yale Climate Connections (August 12, 2026), Tropical Storm Lala heads toward Hawaii; life-threatening flooding possible. Accessed August 17, 2026.