More than 180,000 without power in Hawaii, 100 homes damaged as Lala weakens to tropical storm

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AdvertisementAdvertisementA resident carries supplies during Hurricane Lala in Hawaiian Ocean View, Hawaii on Aug 15, 2026. (File photo: AP/Stephen Lam)17 Aug 2026 10:35AM (Updated: 17 Aug 2026 10:41AM) Bookmark Bookmark WhatsApp Telegram Facebook Twitter Email LinkedInAdd CNA as a trusted source to help Google better understand and surface our content in search results.Read a summary of this article on FAST.Get bite-sized news via a newcards interface. Give it a try.Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FASTFAST More than 180,000 utility customers remained without power across Hawaii on Sunday (Aug 16) afternoon after Hurricane Lala brushed the Big Island before being downgraded to a tropical storm.Some 183,123 customers across Hawaii were without power as of 3.30pm, according to poweroutage.usOutages in Oahu, the most populated island, had dropped from more than 220,000 to about 130,000 as of Sunday morning, state officials said during a press conference.State officials received reports of at least 100 homes damaged, Hawaii Governor Josh Green said on Sunday.Show MoreShow LessAt 2pm, Lala was moving west toward southwest Kauai County at about 20mph with maximum sustained winds near 65mph, just below the hurricane threshold of 73mph, according to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center.A tropical storm warning remained in effect for Kauai county, although those warnings for Maui and Oahu counties were discontinued earlier on Sunday, according to the hurricane centre.The weather agency's projections indicate that if the storm remains on its expected path, it should be clear of Hawaii's islands by 8am on Monday.A view of the rising water levels at the Wainaku Street Bridge in Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii on Aug 15, 2026. (File photo: AP/Taylor Cozloff)Hawaiian Electric had warned customers on Saturday evening that repair efforts were being hampered as hurricane-force winds toppled trees and rain flooded roadways.Lala had battered parts of Hawaii with flash floods "like we've never seen", a state official said.State officials also urged residents to stay indoors after at least one person was reported dead in a car-related accident."It's not a day to go to the beach," one official said during a press conference on Sunday morning.Hawaii declares state of emergency ahead of Tropical Storm LalaVideo released by the Hawaii Department of Transportation showed flood waters overtaking roads. Two homes were swept away, according to the National Weather Service.About 117 people were in shelters as of Sunday morning, officials said.The Hawaii Department of Transportation said that all airports have been reopened, but state officials advised travellers to check with their airlines for updates.Source: Reuters/dcSign up for our newslettersGet our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inboxSubscribe hereGet the CNA appStay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best storiesDownload hereGet WhatsApp alertsJoin our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat appJoin hereAlso worth readingContent is loading...Expand to read the full storyGet bite-sized news via a newcards interface. Give it a try.Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FASTFAST