3:30pm; Hawaii Time: Lala is Now a Hurricane

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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 hurricane when it reaches the south tip of the Island of Hawaii later today. Recent radar pictures from 5am is below. The storm is expected to take a northwest jog as it gets closer to the Big Island. Sustained winds of 75 mph are possible near sea level with gusts to 100 mph or stronger at higher elevations. 
Torrential rain with catastrophic flooding is forecast on Hawaii. All Hawaiian islands will see life-threatening surf, heavy rain with flooding and dangerous winds in the higher elevations. 

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