Tropical storm-force winds were hitting the Big Island of Hawaii overnight as Lala made its approach, and the strorm is expected to reach hurricane strength Saturday before pummeling parts of the state with heavy rain, winds and dangerous surf this weekend.
At 2 a.m. Hawaii time, or 8 a.m. ET, Lala was still a tropical storm as it moved toward Hawaii. The storm is expected to pass near or over the southern part of the Big Island, also called the Island of Hawaii, on Saturday. Forecasters predict that it will reach Category 1 hurricane status.
If it makes landfall as a hurricane, Lala would be the first on record to hit the Big Island and the first hurricane to make landfall in Hawaii in more than three decades.
Flooding due to pouring rain is one
of the biggest threats to the state, and Gov. Josh Green warned Friday that residents should stay home and off the roads during flooding conditions.
"This is an enormous storm," Green said at a news conference. "It's going to be a ton of rain ... which means that there's going to be flooding, and we have to be very, very careful about that."
Will Lala make a historic hurricane landfall?
09:27 AM ET, August 15 2026, Jeanine SantucciWhether Lala makes a direct hit on land depends on whether it makes a slight shift in its track as it approaches the Big Island on Saturday.
AccuWeather meteorologists predict that it will come within 10 miles of the island, just to the south. Regardless of whether Lala's eye passes over land, its impacts could be significant, AccuWeather Expert Meteorologist Tyler Roys said.
“This is not a storm where people should focus on a line on a map. Flooding rain, damaging wind gusts and dangerous surf can extend well beyond the eye of the storm," Roys said.
2 feet of rain possible in Hawaii
09:19 AM ET, August 15 2026, Jeanine SantucciForecasters said flash flooding is a big risk as Lala brings heavy rainfall to Hawaii.
Across the Big Island, 10 to 20 inches of rainfall is possible, with localized totals up to 25 inches, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Maui could see 8 to 12 inches, while other islands might see 4 to 6 inches, with a maximum of 8 inches.
"This rainfall may produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain," the hurricane center said.
Where is Tropical Storm Lala now?
09:19 AM ET, August 15 2026, Jeanine SantucciAs of 2 a.m. Hawaii time, or 8 a.m. ET, Lala was about 140 miles southeast of South Point, Hawaii, on the Big Island, the southernmost point of the United States.
The storm was moving west-northwest at about 13 mph and had maximum sustained winds of 65 mph.
The core of Lala will pass near or over South Point later Saturday, then south of the smaller Hawaiian Islands on Sunday, the National Hurricane Center said.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tropical storm-force winds hit Hawaii as Lala approaches
