Hawaii Braces for Another Cyclone as Lala Recovery Continues

Hawaii was assessing damage from Hurricane Lala on Thursday while forecasters monitored Tropical Depression Two-C, a new system expected to strengthen and pass south of the islands this weekend. The National Weather Service’s Central Pacific Hurricane Center said Two-C could bring 5 to 15 inches of rain to the Big Island, with life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides possible, especially where Lala saturated the ground. About 13,200 Big Island customers remained without power Thursday, while Hawaiian Electric said roughly 14,400 were without service in a Wednesday evening update. Lala damaged more than 100 homes, roads and bridges and produced more than 43 inches of rain at Laupahoehoe, according to officials and the weather service. Two storm-related deaths have been reported, including 93-year-old May Doi and a man in his 60s. Lala remained a hurricane Thursday, moving toward Papahanaumokuakea. Officials urged continued monitoring as recovery overlapped with another potential cyclone threat.