Tropical Storm Lala moved away from Hawaii Monday after producing destructive flooding, strong winds and landslides across the islands, leaving more than 100 homes damaged or destroyed and more than 120,000 utility customers without power early Monday.
Hawaii officials were preparing to begin damage assessments after exceptionally heavy rainfall caused flash flooding and infrastructure failures. More than 43 inches of rain was reported in mountainous portions of the Big Island, while mountainous areas of Maui received as much as 2 feet. Floodwaters and landslides damaged or destroyed roads, including sections of highway near P�hala, where the loss of access left residents isolated.
Some homes were reportedly swept from their foundations, and downed trees and utility lines continued to block roads. State officials said clearing fallen trees was one of the primary obstacles facing crews attempting to restore electrical service. Search-and-rescue operations continued during the storm, including rescues involving people caught in floodwaters.
For property and catastrophe adjusters, the combination of wind, flooding, landslides and infrastructure damage could make inspections and loss investigations more difficult. Restricted road access and power and communications outages can slow field deployments, while properties exposed to several causes of loss may require adjusters to document damage patterns carefully and distinguish between wind, flood, earth movement and subsequent damage.
The cleanup period also creates additional claims concerns. Hawaii emergency officials warned that flooded areas, downed power lines, generators, chainsaws and heavy equipment remain hazards after the storm. Those conditions can produce secondary property losses as well as auto, liability and workers’ compensation claims during debris removal and repair operations.
Lala had strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane Saturday before making its closest approach to the Big Island, with its eyewall passing about 30 miles from the southern portion of the island. Airports remained open, though more than 190 flights were postponed over the weekend and dozens were canceled.
