Hurricane Lala battered Hawaii over the weekend, with its eyewall grazing the southern tip of the Big Island and causing significant damage including flooded roads, destroyed homes, and power outages affecting thousands.

The storm strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 80 miles per hour before weakening to a tropical storm as it passed south of the islands. It formed earlier in the week from a tropical wave in the central Eastern Pacific and intensified steadily.

Residents reported heavy flooding that turned roads into rivers, washed-out bridges, and mudslides in areas like Naalehu and Pahala on the Big Island. Over a hundred homes sustained damage or were destroyed in some districts, stranding locals and tourists. Power outages left many without electricity, and crews have begun clearing debris from highways.

Officials issued a major disaster declaration, and recovery efforts are underway with state and federal support. Hawaii's Adjutant General has discussed plans for the coming weeks, focusing on restoring infrastructure and aiding affected communities.

The National Hurricane Center tracked Lala's path, noting hurricane-force gusts and torrential rains even after it weakened. One indirect fatality has been reported in connection with the storm.

Cleanup continues across the islands as of Tuesday, with meteorologists warning of lingering flood risks in some areas. The event marks a rare direct impact from a hurricane on Hawaii this season.