Expand / Collapse search
☰
Extreme Heat Warning
from MON 10:00 AM MST until FRI 8:00 PM MST, Buckeye/Avondale, Northwest Valley, Scottsdale/Paradise Valley, Gila River Valley, Deer Valley, Tonopah Desert, Yuma County, Central La Paz, Gila Bend, South Mountain/Ahwatukee, Cave Creek/New River, Aguila Valley, Southeast Yuma County, North Phoenix/Glendale, West Pinal County, Sonoran Desert Natl Monument, East Valley, Kofa, Southeast Valley/Queen Creek, Fountain Hills/East Mesa, Central Phoenix, Northwest Pinal County, Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, Parker Valley, Tohono O'odham Nation including Sells, Southeast Pinal County including Kearny/Mammoth/Oracle, Western Pima County including Ajo/Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Upper Gila River and Aravaipa Valleys including Clifton/Safford, Tucson Metro Area including Tucson/Green Valley/Marana/Vail, South Central Pinal County including Eloy/Picacho Peak State Park

Hurricane Lala strengthens as Category 1 storm slams Hawaii’s Big Island with heavy rain, strong wind

By Kieran Sullivan and Olivia Stepens
FOX Weather
Severe Weather
Published August 15, 2026 9:01 PM MST
Published August 15, 2026 9:01 PM MST
Honolulu mayor discusses Hurricane Lala safety prep
Honolulu mayor discusses Hurricane Lala safety prep

Honolulu mayor discusses Hurricane Lala safety prep

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi joins LiveNOW's Austin Westfall to discuss the city's preparations as Hurricane Lala approaches Hawaii. 

The Brief

    • Lala strengthened to a hurricane on Saturday morning, Hawaii time.
    • Lala has sustained winds of 75 mph, making it a Category 1 hurricane.
    • The Big Island is bracing for severe flooding, high winds and dangerous storm surges.

Lala continues barreling toward the Hawaiian Islands as a Category 1 hurricane ahead of a rare impact on the state, bringing heavy rain and rough surf that could trigger dangerous flash flooding and mudslides across the island chain.

Hurricane Lala tracking (FOX Weather)

WIDESPREAD ALERTS ISSUED ACROSS HAWAIIAN ISLANDS AS TROPICAL STORM LALA CONTINUES TO STRENGTHEN

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Lala is not expected to exceed Category 1 status. 

In the latest advisory, the NHC said that Lala had sustained winds of 75 mph.

According to the NHC, Tropical Storm Lala is currently moving through the Pacific Ocean northwest at 8 mph.

TIMELINE: WHEN HAWAII WILL START FEELING TROPICAL STORM LALA'S IMPACTS

Lala is slowing down as it starts to interact with the Big Island. Winds are going to continue to get stronger as the day goes on, the NHC said.

Heavy rain bands from Lala began impacting the Big Island on Saturday afternoon, along with tropical storm-force wind gusts. 

FOX Weather Storm Specialist Mike Seidel reported from Wainaku on the Big Island, giving us the latest pictures as the hurricane made its approach. 

The worst impacts are expected from Saturday into Sunday. Storm surge of 1 to 3 feet, increasingly rough surf and dangerous waves will also impact coastal areas.

Power outages were reported on the Big Island starting Saturday morning, with the number of outages increasing as Lala inched closer to the islands, leaving thousands without power. 

Hurricane Lala alerts(FOX Weather)

LATEST FROM FOX WEATHER HURRICANE SPECIALIST BRYAN NORCROSS

Heavy rain, damaging winds, dangerous surf and coastal flooding will all be major concerns through the weekend. Widespread rainfall totals of 5–8 inches are possible, with 12–18+ inches across higher terrain and windward areas. Locally, rainfall could approach 25 inches, bringing a significant threat of life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides.

Hawaii Governor Josh Green declared a State of Emergency on Thursday ahead of the storm, warning that "Lala poses a serious threat to our state, particularly Hawaiʻi Island."

On Saturday morning he gave an update just before Lala was declared a hurricane. 

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the Big Island, while a Tropical Storm Warning now covers Maui County, including the islands of Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Kahoolawe, as well as Oahu and Kauai County, including the islands of Kauai and Niihau.

Get the latest on Hurricane Lala on FoxWeather.com.

Severe WeatherWeatherHurricanesHawaii