Hawaii Gov. Josh Green declared a state of emergency on Thursday as Tropical Storm Lala approaches the islands. The storm is projected to intensify into a Category 1 hurricane as it nears the Big Island, with rainfall forecasts indicating 5 to 10 inches across the Big Island and Maui this weekend.

“Tropical Storm Lala is strengthening as it approaches Hawaiʻi and could near hurricane strength as it reaches Hawaiʻi Island on Saturday,” said Governor Green. “A hurricane watch is in effect for Hawaiʻi Island and a tropical storm warning is in effect for the state.”

The Central Pacific Hurricane Center forecasts Lala to strengthen and become a hurricane by Saturday as it approaches the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. A Hurricane Warning remains active for the Big Island, while Maui County has been placed under a Tropical Storm Warning with Tropical Storm Watches issued for Oʻahu and Kauaʻi Counties.

Heavy rains are expected to begin today on Hawaiʻi Island, spreading westward across the island chain during the weekend. This rainfall poses life-threatening risks of flooding and mudslides in steep terrain areas. Dangerous waves are anticipated this weekend, particularly on the Big Island, with the most severe impacts occurring along exposed windward and southern shores. Prolonged heavy surf could trigger localized coastal flooding and significant beach erosion.

Meteorologist Reynolds Wolf warned that Lala could reach hurricane strength as it approaches Hawaiian Islands, with heavy rain and powerful wind gusts threatening widespread power outages, flash flooding, and mudslides across the region.

A Hurricane Warning is currently in effect for the Big Island, while a Tropical Storm Warning covers Maui County, including the islands of Maui, Lanai, Molokai, and Kahoolawe. Tropical Storm Watches remain active for Oʻahu and Kauaʻi.

Tropical Storm Lala is positioned approximately 420 miles southeast of Hilo, moving west-northwest at 12 mph with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph. The National Hurricane Center no longer anticipates direct landfall on the Big Island, but forecasts Lala to pass just south of it Saturday.

Hurricane specialist Bryan Norcross cautioned that Hawaii Island will experience intense impacts regardless of the storm’s exact path. “Whether the center of Lala makes landfall on the Big Island or passes by just to the south, Hawaii Island will take a hard hit,” Norcross stated.