Hurricane Lala Strengthens to Category 1 as It Approaches Hawaii's Big Island (mezha.net)

On Saturday, Storm Lala strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane and began approaching the Hawaiian Islands. The cyclone is bringing powerful winds, heavy rain, and dangerous waves, with the greatest threat currently focused on the Big Island. According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center, Lala’s maximum sustained winds were 75 miles per hour in the morning. The hurricane’s center was located about 120 miles south of Hilo. Hurricane Lala approaches the Big Island Lala is expected to make its closest approach to the Big Island on Saturday afternoon. The forecast track shows the center of the cyclone moving south of the coast. However, the strongest winds are located north of the hurricane’s eye, meaning they could affect land. A hurricane warning has been issued for the Big Island. The highest risk of hurricane-force winds is forecast for the island’s southern areas. Because the ground is already saturated, strong gusts could cause trees to fall and damage power lines. Heavy rain, flooding, and dangerous waves Intense rainfall could pose the greatest danger. The eastern half of the Big Island is expected to receive around a foot of rain, with more than two feet possible in some areas. For Hilo, that amount...