HAWAII, (US), Aug 16 (Bernama-Anadolu) --Hurricane Lala battered Hawaii with powerful winds and heavy rain on Saturday, Aug. 15, leaving more than 88,000 without power as the storm passed just south of Hawaii Island, Anadolu Ajansi reported.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green said winds were peaking on Hawaii Island and some areas had already received more than 13 inches of rain, while conditions were worsening across Maui County, Oahu and Kauai.
Flooding, downed trees, power outages and dangerous winds were reported across Hawaii Island, according to the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency.
More than 88,000 customers were without electricity across Hawaii Island, Maui County and Oahu as of 7 p.m. HST, Hawaiian Electric said. The utility reported 63,270 outages on Hawaii Island, about 15,260 in Maui County and about 9,500 on Oahu.
Footage released by Hawaii's Department of Transportation showed an overflowing stream and flooded roads as the agency reported multiple road closures across Hawaii Island, Maui and Oahu and urged people to shelter in place or seek shelter.
Hawaii's Department of Transportation reported multiple road closures across Hawaii Island, Maui and Oahu and urged people to shelter in place or seek shelter.
Hawaii police reported widespread disruption on the island, with flooding closing Kahikopele Street in Mountain View and affecting Pauahi Street, while fallen trees and large debris prompted warnings along Mamalahoa Highway. Downed power lines also forced the closure of Plumeria Street.
Hawaiian Electric said wind gusts approaching 90 mph were recorded in parts of Hawaii Island, where fallen trees brought down multiple poles and structures along a 42-mile stretch of transmission lines on the Hamakua coast.
The utility said customers already without power on Hawaii Island and Maui would remain without electricity at least overnight as dangerous conditions hampered restoration work.
-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU