Lala continues barreling toward the Hawaiian Islands as a Category 1 hurricane ahead of a rare impact on the state, bringing heavy rain and rough surf that could trigger dangerous flash flooding and mudslides across the island chain.

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WIDESPREAD ALERTS ISSUED ACROSS HAWAIIAN ISLANDS AS TROPICAL STORM LALA CONTINUES TO STRENGTHEN

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The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Lala is not expected to exceed Category 1 status. 

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In the latest advisory, the NHC said that Lala had sustained winds of 75 mph.

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According to the NHC, Tropical Storm Lala is currently moving through the Pacific Ocean northwest at 8 mph.

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TIMELINE: WHEN HAWAII WILL START FEELING TROPICAL STORM LALA’S IMPACTS

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Lala is slowing down as it starts to interact with the Big Island. Winds are going to continue to get stronger as the day goes on, the NHC said.

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Heavy rain bands from Lala began impacting the Big Island on Saturday afternoon, along with tropical storm-force wind gusts. 

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FOX Weather Storm Specialist Mike Seidel reported from Wainaku on the Big Island, giving us the latest pictures as the hurricane made its approach. 

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The worst impacts are expected from Saturday into Sunday. Storm surge of 1 to 3 feet, increasingly rough surf and dangerous waves will also impact coastal areas.

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Power outages were reported on the Big Island starting Saturday morning, with the number of outages increasing as Lala inched closer to the islands, leaving thousands without power. 

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LATEST FROM FOX WEATHER HURRICANE SPECIALIST BRYAN NORCROSS

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Heavy rain, damaging winds, dangerous surf and coastal flooding will all be major concerns through the weekend. Widespread rainfall totals of 5–8 inches are possible, with 12–18+ inches across higher terrain and windward areas. Locally, rainfall could approach 25 inches, bringing a significant threat of life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides.

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Hawaii Governor Josh Green declared a State of Emergency on Thursday ahead of the storm, warning that “Lala poses a serious threat to our state, particularly Hawaiʻi Island.”

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On Saturday morning he gave an update just before Lala was declared a hurricane. 

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A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the Big Island, while a Tropical Storm Warning now covers Maui County, including the islands of Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Kahoolawe, as well as Oahu and Kauai County, including the islands of Kauai and Niihau.

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Get the latest on Hurricane Lala on FoxWeather.com.

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