Hurricane Lala weakened to a tropical storm after passing south of Hawaii's Big Island, but meteorologists warned that hurricane-force gusts, flash flooding, and punishing winds could still affect the islands. The storm, which had been a Category 1 hurricane, grazed the Big Island, narrowly avoiding a direct landfall that had not occurred in 155 years.

Despite the downgrade, the storm's passage brought significant impacts. Heavy rainfall continued to pound Hawaii, leading to widespread flooding and dangerous conditions. Meteorologists had forecast up to one meter (three feet) of rain on higher windward slopes, with potential for turbulent river flooding and life-threatening mudslides.

According to an advisory from the US National Hurricane Center early Sunday morning, rainfall totals were expected to reach up to 90cm (35 inches) in some areas of the Big Island. Governor Josh Green reported on Saturday evening that more than 60,000 households were without power, and three hospitals had switched to generator power. At least one fatality was reported in a car accident in the South Point area of the Big Island, and 19 roofs were lost due to the "enormous storm."

Tropical storm warnings remained active for Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Oahu, Kauai, and Niihau as of Sunday. The storm's westward movement raised concerns among residents about continued heavy floods and strong winds, which could potentially spark catastrophic wildfires in the state.

Residents described intense conditions, with one individual in Waimea on the Big Island telling the Associated Press that "big gusts every few minutes rattle the whole house." The storm's proximity to the islands, even as a tropical storm, triggered dangerous surf conditions, with pounding waves crashing against the shore and wild squalls bending palm trees.

The NHC had issued a hurricane warning for the Big Island on Saturday, highlighting the potential for significant impacts. As Lala tracked westward, it brought fierce, sideways rain that swelled rivers and threatened coastal communities with erosion.

The ongoing severe weather across Hawaii underscores the vulnerability of island communities to tropical cyclones. The combination of heavy rainfall, strong winds, and coastal impacts presents a multi-faceted threat, complicating emergency response and recovery efforts.

Authorities continue to monitor the storm's trajectory and intensity, urging residents to remain vigilant and follow safety advisories. The full extent of the damage and the duration of power outages are still being assessed as the islands grapple with the aftermath of Hurricane Lala's passage.