Storm Lala leaves more than 100,000 without power

Almost 130,000 utility customers in Hawaii had no power on Sunday morning after Hurricane Lala brushed the Big ​Island before being downgraded to a tropical storm.

Data from poweroutageus.com ‌as of 4:35 a.m. HST (1435 GMT) indicated that most of the affected areas were on the Big Island, Honolulu County and Maui County. Hawaiian Electric warned customers Saturday evening ​that the repair efforts were hampered by the hurricane-force winds and ​rain, citing flooded roadways and downed trees.

Video released by the Hawaii ⁠Department of Transportation showed flood waters overtaking roads. Authorities reported one dead ​in a car-related incident. Two homes were swept away, according to the National ​Weather Service.

Big Island resident Cynthia Totty-Hefley said on Saturday she had "a little anxiety" about rising water. "What I'm most worried about is... the ocean coming into my house," she told ​local station KITV.

An advisory from the National Hurricane Center at 2 a.m. ​HST predicted another 4 to 8 inches (10-20 cm) of rain on the Big Island and ‌windward ⁠Maui, which would mean as much as 30 to 35 inches (76-89 cm) overall since Lala started lashing Hawaii late Friday.

Though the storm barely skirted landfall, Governor Josh Green cautioned islanders to shelter in place as forecasters warned of ​substantial damage.

Although U.S. ​weather officials downgraded ⁠Lala to a tropical storm, its maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (112 km/h) were just below hurricane status. The ​hurricane center continued to warn of "life-threatening" conditions.

Lala's maximum sustained ​winds on ⁠Saturday reached 75 mph (120 km/h), making it a Category 1 hurricane.

The Hawaii Department of Transportation said Saturday it closed Hilo International Airport and Ellison Onizuka Kona ⁠International ​Airport, with both expected to reopen Sunday. State ​officials advised travelers to check with their airlines for updates.

-Reuters