Summary (tl;dr)

Tropical Storm Moke is currently impacting Hawaii, bringing a new round of heavy rainfall and gusty winds, particularly to the Big Island, which is still recovering from the devastation caused by Hurricane Lala just last week.

Essential Background

Just a week prior, Hurricane Lala, a Category 1 storm, skirted the Hawaiian Islands, causing widespread damage, torrential rain, and flooding, especially on the Big Island. Lala resulted in at least one fatality, knocked out power to over 100,000 customers, damaged numerous homes and bridges, and left roads covered in mud and rocks. The ground across parts of the islands remains saturated, making it highly susceptible to further flooding and mudslides.

The Full Story

Tropical Storm Moke formed on Friday in the Pacific Ocean and is now advancing toward Hawaii, with its center expected to pass south of the Big Island late Saturday into early Sunday. As of Saturday morning, Moke was located approximately 470-550 miles southeast of Hilo, Hawaii, moving west-northwest at around 12 mph, with maximum sustained winds of about 50 mph. While Moke is generally expected to be weaker and track farther south than Lala, it is forecast to bring 5 to 10 inches of rain to the Big Island, with isolated areas potentially receiving up to 15 inches. Other islands, including Maui, Oʻahu, and Kauaʻi, are expected to experience lesser impacts, with 1 to 2 inches of rain and isolated amounts up to 4 inches on east Maui. A flood watch is in effect for the windward and southeast sides of the Big Island from late Saturday night through Monday afternoon, with gusty winds also anticipated across the islands, particularly in high-terrain areas.

Why It Matters

The arrival of Tropical Storm Moke poses a significant threat of renewed life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of the Big Island already severely impacted and saturated by Hurricane Lala. The ongoing recovery efforts from Lala, which left thousands without power and caused extensive infrastructure damage, will likely be hampered. Residents and emergency responders are urged to remain vigilant as the ground's saturation means less rainfall is needed to trigger dangerous conditions. Travelers to the Hawaiian Islands are advised to monitor official forecasts and check with airlines and accommodations for potential disruptions.

Geographic Location

• Hawaiʻi Island, Hawaiʻi County, Hawaii, United States (expected heavy rainfall, gusty winds, flooding, and mudslides from Tropical Storm Moke; ongoing recovery from Hurricane Lala)
• Hilo, Hawaiʻi Island, Hawaiʻi County, Hawaii, United States (Tropical Storm Moke located southeast of the city)
• Kaʻū District, Hawaiʻi Island, Hawaiʻi County, Hawaii, United States (cleanup and repair efforts ongoing from Hurricane Lala; potential for further flooding from Moke)
• East Maui, Maui County, Hawaii, United States (expected rainfall from Tropical Storm Moke)