HIEMA to request federal disaster declaration after Lala

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA) is preparing to request a federal disaster declaration after damage assessments from Tropical Storm Lala.

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Last week, Lala reached Category 1 hurricane status, bringing torrential and deadly rainfall to Hawaii Island before passing over the rest of the state as a tropical storm.

HIMEA said it and the Hawaii National Guard will deploy damage-assessment teams next week to ensure thorough evaluations. Aerial assessments will also be done to gauge the impact across affected areas.

“We feel that the damage that’s been incurred so far from Hurricane Lala reaches the level at which we would qualify for a presidential or a federal declaration of disaster,” said Maj. Gen. Stephen Logan, Hawaii Adjutant General.

The agency said it will conduct Joint Preliminary Damage Assessments in collaboration with specialists from various agencies to assess the extent of the damage and needs of impacted communities.

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Logan said some teams will head to Hawaii County since it was the most impacted county.

Officials said the Federal Emergency Management Agency is also preparing to deploy assessment teams to the islands this weekend to assist with damage evaluations.

HIEMA encourages the public to utilize available resources during the recovery process, with more information available online here.

“The safety and well-being of our communities are our highest priority, particularly during challenging times,” said HIEMA administrator David Lopez. “We urge all residents to stay vigilant, remain informed through our official communication channels and keep up to date with the resources available for affected individuals and households.”

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