Deadly Hurricane Ravages Hawaiian Islands, Houses Float Away

One person is dead, homes have been swept off their foundations and more than 130,000 customers are without power as Tropical Storm Lala grinds westward across the Hawaiian Islands, a day after it brushed the Big Island as a Category 1 hurricane.

Gov. Josh Green (D-HI) said Saturday evening that one person was killed in a storm-related car crash on the Big Island’s southern end, and that 19 roofs had been lost and at least three hospitals were running on generator power. Hours later, flash flooding tore through the coastal communities of Naalehu and Waiohinu.

“Several occupied homes may have been swept off their foundations, and based on that, civil defense has initiated a search and rescue mission,” Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda said overnight. Responders went looking for people who had called 911 but could not be reached through the floodwaters.

“What makes this very challenging is that there’s rushing water, there’s debris, and there’s boulders on the road and it’s dark,” Alameda said.

Lala, since downgraded to tropical storm status, battered several of the islands with strong winds and heavy rains without officially making landfall on any of them. Roughly 65% of electric customers on the Big Island were without power Sunday morning, and more than 130,000 households were dark across Hawaii’s three largest islands, according to NPR. A flood watch remains in effect for Oahu, Kauai and Niihau through late Sunday night.

Honolulu Police released a statement, warning residents not to travel unless absolutely necessary and noting that dispatchers had already fielded more than 100 storm-related calls.

“Officers are directing traffic and closing unsafe roadways. Crews have responded to numerous downed trees and debris, including multiple trees that fell along Pali Highway,” the statement read. “HPD is also coordinating with the Hawaiʻi National Guard and other first responder agencies. National Guard all-terrain vehicles capable of navigating high water and flooded areas have been strategically pre-positioned across the island and are ready for rapid deployment if needed.”

Up to eight inches of rain may still fall on Kauai, and tropical storm warnings remain in effect across the entire state.

Torrential rains made Rainbow Falls — in Hilo on the Big Island (Hawai’i) — unrecognizable …

Rainbow Falls in Hilo, Hawaii, is roaring as Hurricane Lala brought torrential rain this weekend. pic.twitter.com/lFGGkduy24

— AccuWeather (@accuweather) August 16, 2026

… and turned local roads into rivers.

Massive debris flow taking place at our condos south of Pahala. This isn’t a river, this is our road, local that lives here says he’s never seen anything close to this in 25 years.

Many homes in this area may be in very serious danger, not a good situation. #Lala pic.twitter.com/ooAiR4JoSx

— Max Olson (@MesoMax919) August 16, 2026

Lala even produced a summer blizzard at the summit of Mauna Kea — the dormant volcano that is Hawaii’s highest point, at nearly 13,800 feet — where forecasters clocked a 140 mph gust.

It’s happening. Hurricane Lala is currently producing SNOW on the summit of Mauna Kea pic.twitter.com/kwz1RNm0Yl

— Greg Diamond (@gdimeweather) August 16, 2026

Downed trees in Hana, on Maui’s east coast, trapped vehicles on the road.

Giant tree comes crashing down on car blocking Ulaino Road in Hāna, East Maui leaving some people trapped.

Mahalo nui to @mauinick & county crews for helping the man in this vehicle get out safely! He walked away with not even a scratch! #mauinokaoi pic.twitter.com/AyXa0hxUsb

— Chelsea Davis (@ChelseaDavisHNN) August 16, 2026

Had Lala come ashore, it would have been only the third hurricane landfall in Hawaii in the modern record. Hurricane Dot hit Kauai in 1959; Hurricane Iniki, a Category 4, hit Kauai again in 1992, killing six and causing more than $3 billion in damage. Hurricane Iselle reached the Big Island in 2014, but had weakened to a tropical storm by landfall.

Hurricane Lala has hit a new peak intensity of 80 MPH and 985 mbar as her eyewall directly crosses Hawaii’s shores.

It’s been 155 YEARS since the Big Island has been hit by a storm this strong. pic.twitter.com/CBUZMXJzxo

— Backpirch Weather (@BackpirchCrew) August 16, 2026