Tropical Storm Moke is poised to slam into the southern part of Hawaii's islands, with forecasters predicting heavy rains and strong winds on Saturday evening, just days after the region was struck by Hurricane Lala. The storm is expected to bring significant impacts, particularly to areas already affected by the previous hurricane.
Storm path and expected impacts
As with Hurricane Lala, the Big Island is expected to bear the brunt of Moke's rain and heavy winds as it passes south of a direct hit late on Saturday and into Sunday. Moke will then continue its westward path near the islands through to early Tuesday, according to Casey Oswant, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service (NWS) in Honolulu.
“There will still be impacts, especially to the windward and south-east sides of the Big Island, but it will probably be a little bit more limited than what we saw with Lala,” Oswant said. The storm's trajectory suggests that while the Big Island faces the most severe conditions, other islands will also experience rainfall and potential hazards.
Rainfall predictions and warnings
Rainfall predictions for this weekend for the south-east and windward sides of the Big Island were 5-10 inches (13-25cm), with as much as 15 inches (38cm) in isolated areas, according to Oswant. Across the rest of the island chain, 1-2 inches (2-5cm) of rain was expected, though parts of east Maui could see up to 4 inches (10cm), she added.
The NWS has warned that flooding and mudslides could occur, particularly in areas that received strong precipitation during Hurricane Lala. The ground remains saturated in many regions, increasing the risk of dangerous conditions. The National Hurricane Center also noted that the rainfall has the potential to cause dangerous rip currents, life-threatening flooding, and mudslides, especially in steep areas and places where the ground is still wet.
Government response and preparedness
Hawaii Governor Josh Green and other state officials held a news conference ahead of Moke, urging people to prepare by restocking food, medicine, and other essentials. In a Saturday video, Green said there had already been at least $43 million of damaged infrastructure on the Big Island, and another $4.6 million damage to homes from Lala.
“There’s going to be a lot more to account for and we will be there to provide recovery and resources, but it’s going to take some time,” Green said. The statement underscores the ongoing challenges facing the state as it deals with the aftermath of Hurricane Lala and prepares for the arrival of Tropical Storm Moke.
There were no coastal watches or warnings in effect early Saturday morning, but people were urged to closely monitor the storm’s progress. The combination of heavy rain, strong winds, and saturated ground poses a significant threat, and officials are emphasizing the importance of preparedness and vigilance as the storm approaches.
