SC News

SC incident support team deploys to Hawaii amid Hurricane Lala

South Carolina Public Radio | By SC Public Radio Staff

Published August 14, 2026 at 3:31 PM EDT

This photo released by the Hawaii Department of Transportation shows damage along a roadway on the eastern edge of Hawaii's Big Island from Hurricane Lala, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (Hawaii Department of Transportation via AP)

Members of South Carolina State Fire's Palmetto Incident Support Team are assisting the Honolulu Department of Emergency Management, Honolulu Fire Department and Honolulu Incident Management team with emergency efforts.

Governor Henry McMaster announced Friday that South Carolina State Fire's Palmetto Incident Support Team have deployed to Hawaii to assist with emergency preparedness efforts ahead of Hurricane Lala.

The IST was activated through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact at the request of Honolulu city and county officials. While deployed, the team will augment the Honolulu Department of Emergency Management's Emergency Operations Center.

As Hurricane Lala impacts the Hawaiian Islands, Palmetto IST members are split between day and night shifts alongside the Honolulu Department of Emergency Management, Honolulu Fire Department, and Honolulu Incident Management Team

Lala weakened to a tropical storm Sunday after raking Hawaii without making landfall. The storm damaged bridges and swept about 100 homes off their foundations on the Big Island.

Rainfall approached three feet in some places, turning rivers into raging torrents and threatening mudslides — with Honolulu bearing the brunt. More than 200,000 homes and businesses were without power.

The IST previously deployed to Hawaii in April to assist with response and recovery efforts following devastating flash flooding on O'ahu's North Shore.