Tropical Storm Lala passed west of the Hawaiian islands Sunday afternoon, though flooding and poor weather remained a concern for Oʻahu, Kauaʻi and Niʻihau.

Hundreds of thousands of people across Hawaiʻi were without power into the evening. Some in rural Big Island could remain in the dark without power for weeks or months as transmission lines may be particularly difficult to reach, said Hawaiian Electric Co. spokesman Jim Kelly.

It appears the worst threats of the storm are behind us after Lala, which was downgraded from a hurricane to a tropical storm early Sunday, brushed past Big Island’s South Point Saturday evening.

Gov. Josh Green had issued an emergency proclamation Friday, which enables the state to act more quickly to respond to potential impacts. The National Guard was working around the clock, he said Saturday.

Officials across the islands stressed they had been preparing for the storm and were monitoring the situation.

Latest Tropical Storm Lala Forecast, Map

Tropical Storm Lala was centered 195 miles west of Honolulu, moving west at 20 mph, as of 2 p.m. Sunday, according to the National Weather Service Central Pacific Hurricane Center.

A flash flood warning remained in effect into Sunday evening for Kauaʻi and Oʻahu, where rain fell at a rate of 1 to 2.5 inches per hour that afternoon with record stream flow in Mānoa reported earlier in the day. Honolulu officials said Saturday that they were in a better position to respond to Lala than the March Kona low storms.

Get the latest news on how the storm affects Hawaiʻi and more:

Many trees had fallen and roofs were damaged overnight as heavy rain and wind hammered the state, according to the National Weather Service forecast for Hawaiʻi.

Weather officials expect conditions to continue improving throughout Sunday, moving from east to west up the island chain before drier trades likely return Tuesday through the end of the week.

While tropical storm force winds and heavy rains had begun pummeling Big Island Friday night, Kaʻū saw a downpour with more than 15 inches of rain from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. Hurricane-force wind gusts were recorded overnight on both Big Island and Maui.

Maui County was hit with heavy rains Saturday, with Oʻahu and Kauaʻi feeling the impacts Saturday night into Sunday.

The highest fire threat period had passed without major incident Thursday and Friday, when winds were high but conditions remained fairly dry. Officials said Daniel K. Inouye Highway was reopened after being closed by a wildfire earlier this week along Saddle Road.

Windward areas were expected to see the most rain with potential flood risk in leeward communities. Flash flooding could occur if heavy rains batter the same areas, particularly since some areas remain saturated from the March Kona lows.

Keep Up With Hawaiʻi Power Outages

Hundreds of thousands were without power across the islands early Sunday.

Reinforcements from mainland power utilities were expected to arrive Tuesday to assist with power restoration. Earlier this weekend, HECO said 500 workers were placed on standby to assist with outages.

Here’s where you can check to see the latest in your neighborhood:

• Oʻahu power outage map from Hawaiian Electric Co.
• Big Island power outage map from Hawaiian Electric Co.
• Maui County power outage map from Hawaiian Electric Co.
• Kauaʻi power outage map from Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative

What’s The Difference Between A Tropical Storm And A Hurricane?

A tropical storm is a cyclone with sustained winds ranging from 39 to 73 mph, according to the National Weather Service. A hurricane is a cyclone with winds higher than 74 mph.

While tropical cyclones can happen at any time during the year, Hawaiʻi’s peak hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30.

How Is A Hurricane Watch Different From A Warning?

Big Island is under a hurricane warning, which means hurricane conditions are expected in the area, according to the National Ocean Service.

A hurricane watch means it is possible, and is typically issued within two days of the anticipated arrival of a storm with tropical-storm-force winds.

Oʻahu Shelters

The City and County of Honolulu has closed its shelters.

Maui Shelters

Maui County and the American Red Cross opened a number of shelters across the island, but officials stressed a full suite of supplies would not be available and people should bring their own essential items.

The following shelters opened:

• Hāna: Hana High & Elementary School Cafeteria (4111 Hāna Highway)
• Kīhei: South Maui Community Park and Gym (1501 Liloa Dr.)
• Lahaina: Lahaina Civic Center gym (1840 Honoapiʻilani Highway)

Shelters in Pukalani and Wailuku have closed.

Big Island Closures, Shelters

Hawaiʻi County announced closures and cancelations as Lala inched closer to the islands. That includes solid waste transfer stations, and Hele-On bus and Paratransit services Sunday.

Shelters opened Friday in the following locations:

• Captain Cook: Yano Hall (82-6156 Māmalahoa Highway)
• Hilo: Waiākea High School Gym (155 W. Kawili St.)
• Honokaʻa: Honokaʻa Gym (45-541 Lehua St.)
• Kailua-Kona: Kealakehe High School Gym (74-5000 Puohulihuli St.)
• Kapaʻau: Old Kohala Courthouse (54-3900 ʻAkoni Pule Highway)
• Keaʻau: Keaʻau Armory (16-512 Volcano Road)
• Laupāhoehoe: Laupāhoehoe Public Charter School band room (35-2605 Mamalahoa Highway)
• Nāʻālehu: Nāʻālehu Elementary School gym (95-5545 Mamalahoa Highway)
• Pāhoa: Pāhoa Neighborhood Facility (15-2910 Kauhale St.)
• Pāhala: Robert N. Herkes Gym (96-1219 Kamani St.)
• Waikoloa: Waikoloa Elementary School cafeteria (68-1730 Hoʻoko St.)
• Waimea: Kahilu Town Hall (67-1182 Lindsey Road)

The Food Basket, the Big Island’s food bank, has also stocked hurricane shelters with food and water, and remains ready to assist anyone else who needs help.

The food bank’s fleet of refrigerated vehicles is prepared to help distribute food to the islands’ communities after the hurricane passes, while the Federal Emergency Management Agency has a shipment of daily rations scheduled to arrive on island on Monday, said food bank Executive Director Kristin Frost Albrecht.

“We’re planning for the aftermath,” Frost Albrecht said. “We’re sadly very experienced at disasters. It’s something we’re familiar with.”

To contact the food bank, email info@hawaiifoodbasket.org.

Kauaʻi Shelters

Kauaʻi County and American Red Cross are operating shelters in the following areas, though people must bring their own supplies:

• Kalāheo: Kalāheo Neighborhood Center (4480 Papalina Road)
• Līhuʻe: Kauaʻi Veterans Center (3215 Kapule Highway)
• Kapaʻa: Kapaʻa Middle School (4867 Olohena Road)

Report Power Line Damage

If you see downed power lines, do not approach and report them:

• Oʻahu (Hawaiian Electric Co.): 1-855-304-1212
• Big Island (Hawaiian Electric Co.): 1-855-304-8181
• Maui (Hawaiian Electric Co.): 1-855-304-9191

Sign Up For Emergency Alerts On Your Island

Use the following links to get updates from local officials:

• Honolulu emergency alerts
• Big Island emergency alerts
• Maui County emergency alerts
• Kauaʻi emergency alerts

Hawaiʻi Airport Flight Cancellations

Hundreds of flights were canceled over the weekend. For the latest, check your flight status:

• Hilo airport flight status
• Honolulu airport flight status
• Kahului airport flight status
• Kona airport flight status
• Līhuʻe airport flight status

Hawaiʻi Schools

The Hawaiʻi Department of Education continued operations as usual Friday, but closed campuses and offices through the weekend. That includes the cancellation of athletic activities.

The DOE said it would monitor the storms and potential damages to campuses through the weekend and reach out to families about any updates to Monday operations.

Hawaiʻi Reservoir And Stream Levels

The University of Hawai‘i Sea Level Center monitors reservoirs on Kaua‘i, O‘ahu and Maui. Okinawa Reservoir in Kauaʻi and a stream in Nuʻuanu on Oʻahu had reached watch levels early Sunday morning.

The National Water Prediction Service provides data on streams and rivers across the state. Flooding has been reported at a handful of sites across the state.

The Associated Press and Civil Beat reporter Thomas Heaton contributed to this report.