Hurricane Directly Hits Hawaii's Main Island for First Time in 155 Years, Causing Massive Power Outages

As Hurricane Lalla approaches Hawaii, strong winds and heavy rainfall have left 32 percent of electric customers on Hawaii's Big Island experiencing power outages, the Associated Press reported on the 15th local time.

The AP reported that it is the first time in 155 years that the Big Island, the largest island in Hawaii with a population of 210,000, has taken a direct hit from a hurricane.

Earlier, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned that the rainfall would trigger life-threatening floods and landslides, urging particular caution in areas near steep slopes.

The NHC previously stated that Lalla's maximum sustained winds reached 120 km/h, upgrading its classification from a tropical storm to a Category 1 hurricane.

Hurricane rankings based on maximum sustained winds go up to Category 5, with Category 1 being the lowest grade of hurricane.

A hurricane warning has been issued for the Big Island, while tropical storm warnings are in effect for the islands of Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Oahu, Kauai, and Niihau.

According to the latest forecasts, Hurricane Lalla is expected to strike very close to the southern tip of the Big Island.

According to research by a University of Hawaii atmospheric scientist, a Category 3 hurricane struck the northeastern part of the Big Island in 1871.

Hawaiian Electric advised customers that "prolonged outages are possible and could last through the night."

The utility stated that crews are inspecting a 68-kilometer section of transmission lines after falling trees knocked down utility poles and structures along the Hamakua Coast on the Big Island.

The hurricane could drop 25 to 51 centimeters of rain on the Big Island, with forecasts indicating that high-altitude areas could see as much as 64 centimeters of rain.

Rainfall of 20 to 30 centimeters is expected in eastern Maui, while 10 to 15 centimeters is anticipated in western Maui.

As of the afternoon of the 15th, the hurricane is moving westward.

The center of the hurricane is forecast to pass over or near the southern end of Hawaii this evening.

Winds exceeding 161 km/h were recorded early on the 15th at the Mauna Kea Weather Center near the highest peak of the Big Island.

However, because this was an observation at a high altitude, wind speeds at lower elevations closer to sea level are presumed to have been lower.

The Hawaii Department of Transportation closed Hilo International Airport and announced that it would also close Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole starting at 2 p.m.

The transportation department also issued closure orders for commercial ports on the island of Hawaii, Maui County, and Kauai.

Hawaii Governor Josh Green noted that rain is falling at a rate of 5 centimeters per hour and advised residents to shelter in safe places.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.