Tropical Storm Lane Dumps 50 Inches of Rain on Hawaii’s Big Island
by Jessica Montevago
Rough seas around the cliffs of east Oahu, Hawaii during the approach of Lane. Photo: Shutterstock
While Hawaii was spared from a direct hit from Hurricane Lane, which was downgraded to a tropical storm over the weekend, some areas were slammed with torrential rain.
The Big Island received more than four feet of rain in some parts, according to the National Weather Service.
This is the third-highest rainfall total from a tropical cyclone in the country since 1950, the NWS said. The highest total rainfall from a tropical cyclone in the U.S. was 60.58 inches measured at Nederland, Texas, in 2017 from Hurricane Harvey; followed by 52 inches recorded at the Kanalohuluhulu Ranger Station on Kauai from Hurricane Hiki in 1950.
The heavy rain bands over the weekend triggered widespread flooding along much of the east side of the island, forcing evacuations and rescues. In Hilo, the NWS said 36.76 inches of rain fell on Hilo Airport between 12 a.m. Wednesday and midnight Saturday.
Maui also sustained damage from heavy rains, while Oahu was largely spared by Lane’s heavy rains and wind.
Most state parks across Hawaii reopened on Saturday, while the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument Pearl Harbor Visitor Center reopens today.
As crews continue to work cleaning debris, Tropical Storm Miriam has developed in the eastern Pacific Ocean, about 2,000 miles east off the Hawaiian Islands, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The National Hurricane Center forecasted Miriam could strengthen into a Category 1 hurricane.
