Tropical Storm Lala Forecast to Reach Hurricane Strength Before Hawaii Landfall

Tropical Storm Lala, packing 60 mph winds 420 miles southeast of Hilo, is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane before striking Hawaii's Big Island on Saturday. NOAA has issued a hurricane warning for Hawaii County and tropical storm warnings for Maui, Molokai, and Kahoolawe. Governor Josh Green declared a state of emergency. Up to 25 inches of rain could fall on saturated or burn-scarred ground, with NOAA warning of life-threatening flash floods and mudslides. A direct Big Island strike would be the first since Tropical Storm Darby in 2016.