Lala strengthens to Category 1 hurricane, bears down on Hawaii’s Big Island with heavy rain, dangerous winds

The National Hurricane Center said Lala’s maximum sustained winds increased to 120 kph, making it a Category 1 hurricane

Hurricane Lala is forecast to bring heavy rain and life-threatening flooding to Hawaii this weekend.

Lala has strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane, packing winds of up to 120kmh.

Lala has strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane as it continues to track through the central Pacific Ocean, approaching the Big Island of Hawaii on Saturday.

The eye wall was forecast to move over or near the island’s southern end by the evening, lashing its worst winds at volcanic slopes thousands of feet above sea level.

Hurricane Lala on Saturday lashed Hawaii's Big Island with heavy rain and strong winds, as forecasters warned of potentially dangerous flooding across the US Pacific island state.Lala, now a hurricane, dumps heavy rain on HawaiiLala strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane at around 9:00 am local time , packing winds o

The Big Island has not experienced a direct hurricane landfall in 155 years

Lala strengthens to a hurricane, bears down on Hawaii’s Big Island  CNN

Hurricane Lala formed Saturday on a path to make landfall on Hawaii’s Big Island, the National Hurricane Center said

Lala strengthens into a hurricane and bears down on Hawaii’s Big Island with heavy rain, winds  AP News

Authorities warn residents to take precautions as storm is expected to bring rain and strong winds to the island chain.

Tropical storm Lala was already whipping and soaking Hawaii's Big Island early Saturday, with forecasts saying it could strengthen into a hurricane or, at the least, bring hurricane-force winds as it approaches land.

Forecasters said higher elevations could get as much as 25 inches of rain. That could cause life-threatening mudslides in a mountainous area where people live off the grid in improvised housing, and authorities urged them to find safe shelters quickly.

Hurricane Landfall Or Impact? What Matters As Lala Approaches Hawaii  Forbes

Tropical Storm Lala was already whipping and soaking Hawaii's Big Island and was expected to strengthen into a hurricane as it approaches land.

A hurricane warning was issued for Big Island, and a tropical storm warning was in effect for Maui County. Residents across Hawaii are bracing for strong winds and intense rain.

A hurricane warning was issued for Big Island, and a tropical storm warning was in effect for Maui County. Residents across Hawaii are bracing for strong winds and intense rain.

Tropical Storm Lala is expected to strengthen to a hurricane before reaching Hawaii's Big Island this weekend, US forecasters say.

Tropical Storm Lala Could Be Hurricane By Time It Hits Hawaii's Big Island  huffpost.com

Tropical Storm Lala is expected to strengthen to a hurricane before reaching Hawaii’s Big Island this weekend, forecasters said, bringing heavy rains that can cause destructive flooding and strong winds that can fuel wildfires.

A hurricane warning has been issued for the Big Island of Hawaii as Tropical Storm Lala approaches. NBC News’ Morgan Chesky reports as the storm is expected to become a hurricane as it nears the island on Saturday.

Tropical Storm Lala is expected to strengthen near Hawaii, prompting a hurricane warning for the Big Island

The Big Island is expected to begin to see rain from Lala by midday Friday, and downpours are expected to intensify through the day.

Lala could be a hurricane when it hits Hawaii: Forecasters  USA Today

The storm, a rarity for this part of the Pacific, is expected to bring heavy rains, strong wind and possibly “life-threatening flooding” to Hawaii this weekend

Tropical Storm Cristobal forms in the Atlantic and a Pacific system could threaten Hawaii  Toronto Star