Hurricane Lala weakens to a tropical storm, but flooding persists in Hawaii

What the report says

Hurricane Lala weakened to a tropical storm after passing south of Hawaii, but Al Jazeera reported that dangerous weather continued to affect parts of the US state, especially the Big Island. The storm brushed the islands without making direct landfall, though officials warned that strong gusts, heavy rain and rough surf could still bring flash flooding, mudslides and coastal erosion.

According to the report, the US National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane warning for the Big Island on Saturday, while tropical storm warnings remained in place for Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Oahu, Kauai and Niihau. The article said some higher slopes on the Big Island could see extremely heavy rainfall, and that flooding concerns persisted as rivers swelled and waves battered shorelines. Governor Josh Green said more than 60,000 households were without power and three hospitals had moved to generator power.

The report also said at least one person died in a car crash in the South Point area of the Big Island, and 19 roofs were lost in the storm. Residents described intense wind gusts and damaging rain. The situation matters because Hawaii has faced prolonged emergency conditions from a storm that moved close enough to threaten widespread flooding and infrastructure damage, even after weakening.