Lala — now downgraded to a tropical storm — continues to bring life-threatening flooding across portions of Hawaii island and Maui County as well as heavy rainfall and gusty winds across Oahu as it travels south away from the islands, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.

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Lala — now downgraded to a tropical storm — continues to bring life-threatening flooding across portions of Hawaii island and Maui County as well as heavy rainfall and gusty winds across Oahu as it travels south away from the islands, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for Hawaii County, Maui County, Oahu and Kauai County. A tropical storm warning means tropical storm conditions are expected within 12 to 24 hours in the warning area.

“Lala is showing ill effects from land interaction with the Hawaiian Islands and dry air intrusions this morning,” according to the forecast. “… Given the current structure of Lala and the drier air surrounding the storm, some additional near-term weakening is forecast. However, the intensity guidance this cycle was more aggressive with restrengthening during the middle part of this week, particularly the hurricane regional models.”

As of 5 a.m. today, Lala was located about 140 miles west-northwest of Kailua-Kona and about 75 miles south of Honolulu.

Lala was packing maximum sustained winds of 70 mph with higher gusts and moving northwest at 14 mph. Lala is forecast to turn westward later today.

The storm’s center is forecast to remain south of the smaller main islands and the easternmost northwestern islands over the next couple of days. Lala is forecast to weaken over the next day or so then strengthen by midweek.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles from the center.

A weather station located on the northwestern portion of Molokai at an elevation of 175 feet reports sustained winds of 53 mph and gusts of 69 mph.

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Wind: Strong wind gusts continue across Hawaii island and Maui County this morning, especially over areas with high terrain. Portions of the smaller islands will experience tropical-storm-force winds with gusts nearing hurricane strength today. Forecasters report that tropical storm conditions will spread across Oahu this morning and Kauai County later today. Wind speeds atop mountains, on the windward and leeward slopes are reportedly up to 30 percent stronger than near-surface winds and even greater in some elevated areas.

Rainfall: Lala is expected to generate additional rainfall of 1 to 3 inches across the windward areas of Hawaii island and Maui. A maximum total of 30 to 35 inches of rainfall is expected over windward Big Isle. Rain will continue to taper across Hawaii island and Maui this morning, while additional flash flooding and mudslides are possible. Heavy rainfall and the possibility of floooding generated by the storm will continue to spread westward across the islands today. Rainfall of 2 to 6 inches is expected across the remaining islands with the highest rainfall totals over windward Kauai.

Storm surge: The combined dangerous storm surge and tide will lead normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters. Water could possibly reach 1 to 2 feet on Oahu and Kauai above ground if peak surge happens at the time of high tide.

Surf: Large and dangerous waves will continue growing westward across the exposed windward waters today. Swells will grow over the leeward waters as Lala passes south of the islands. The heavy surf may lead to localized coastal flooding and significant beach erosion, forecasters report.

Caution is advised after Lala passes the islands as deadly hazards such as flooded areas and downed power lines may remain.

“If you use a generator, be sure it is placed outside at least 20 feet away from doors, windows, and garages to avoid deadly carbon monoxide poisoning,” according to the forecast.

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