Lala is again a tropical storm, sending drenching rain and winds across Hawaii

This persistent strength, even after the official downgrade, meant residents faced a brutal onslaught of wind and water. Powerful waves pounded the coastline, while howling winds thrashed palm trees, leaving a trail of destruction across the region.

For those of us on the Caprock, accustomed to dramatic shifts from sunny skies to sudden hailstorms over the Depot District, Lala's stubborn intensity offers a powerful lesson. It emphasizes that weather systems, whether a hurricane or a springtime supercell forming near Texas Tech, demand constant respect. You have to wonder how much devastation a "weakening" storm can still deliver.