When Dr. Glenn Reynolds, distinguished professor of law at the University of Tennessee, doesn't trust NOAA, it is really saying something. He is a mainstream conservative and is not particularly interested in weather. But NOAA's increasing legacy of failure and left-wing activism has now seeped into the mainstream -- which is a serious issue for the United States. Even its own recent (politically progressive) retirees understand the problem .  As of the past five years, American no longer feeds itself.  Business increasingly requires high-quality forecasts and storm warnings. NOAA, in its current state, is no longer up to the challenge.  The U.S. needs a scientific organization of this nature that must be apolitical and absolutely top-notch in quality.  Congress should reorganize the weather services of this nation  along the lines of the old ESSA  (predecessor to NOAA) and turn it into a  stand-alone  unit of government with sufficient resou...

Lala is now well south of Kauai and is continue to move to the west. Heavy rain continue to fall with the storm. However, this will be the last report on Lala. 

Tropical storm warnings (blue) in effect for all Hawaiian Islands at this time. Heavy rains have been lashing Maui and Lanai. Heavy rains are now occurring on Oahu and flash flood warnings were issued for the entire island about 30 minutes ago. Sustained winds are 65 to near 70 mph.  Destructive winds will occur on the higher elevations of the islands. Serious flooding is likely. A storm surge of 1-3 feet will occur along with dangerous surf. On the Big Island, homes have been washed away as more than 40 inches  of rain has fallen in spots. To give you an idea of the scale of the flooding disaster, here are before and current photos of its Rainbow Falls. Via AccuWeather When this is over, Hawaii is going to need a lot of help.

3:30pm:  It appears to me that winds have increased to 85 mph with stronger gusts near sea level.  Noon:  75 mph winds near sea level. Unfortunately, as forecast... 12:12p radar image of Hurricane Lala: 9:15am: We now have Hurricane Lala. Official sustained winds are 75 mph, but the south Big Island radar is showing areas of 80 mph winds. Gusts of 100 mph or even stronger are possible in the higher elevations.    The area I've circled is receiving torrential rain, even where it does not show on the radar. Catastrophic flooding with rainfall amounts exceeding 20 inches will cause extensive flooding and mudslides. Bridges will be washed out and power will be lost. Compare this photo to the one below. The storm is more symmetric = strengthening.  -- 5am information (below) is still valid -- Hurricane warning continues for the Big Island with tropical storm warnings in effect for the rest of the Hawaiian Islands.   Lala is still expected to be a Cat 1 hurr...

While flash flooding rains are possible in the yellow area, the red area has a moderate to high risk from now until 8am Sunday. Please keep up on the latest weather information in this area. Remember: Turn around, don't drown!