Tropical Storm Moke threatens Hawaii with heavy rain

Tropical Storm Moke was expected to bring heavy rain and gusty winds to Hawaii this weekend, threatening areas still recovering from Hurricane Lala’s damaging brush with the islands days earlier.

Moke had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph as of midday Saturday and was forecast to strengthen through the day, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm was not expected to make landfall, but forecasters said it would pass just south of the Hawaiian Islands, bringing rain and wind to the Big Island late Saturday and early Sunday before affecting other islands early next week.

The biggest concern was flooding. The National Hurricane Center said the storm could produce “life-threatening flooding and mudslides” on the windward and southeast sides of the Big Island, especially in steep terrain and in areas recently affected by Lala.

Rainfall forecasts called for 5 to 10 inches on the southeast and windward sides of the Big Island, with up to 15 inches in isolated areas, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Casey Oswant. The National Hurricane Center gave the same range for the hard-hit Big Island. Across the rest of the island chain, 1 to 2 inches was expected, Oswant said. Forecasts for Maui varied slightly: CBS News reported that the National Hurricane Center expected 3 to 6 inches in eastern Maui, while The Guardian reported Oswant said parts of east Maui could see up to 4 inches.

Officials warned that even lower rainfall totals could cause problems because the ground is already saturated from Lala. “Recent impacts from Tropical Storm Lala mean that even light to moderate rain and wind could trigger flooding, debris, downed trees, roadway issues and power outages,” Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen said in a statement. “County departments have been preparing for Tropical Storm Moke, and we’re asking our community to do the same.”

Lala caused serious damage last weekend. CBS News reported that a hurricane has not made direct landfall in Hawaii since Iniki in 1992, but the eye of then-Category 1 Hurricane Lala passed within 30 miles of the Big Island’s coast. The storm brought wind gusts above 80 mph and torrential rain, with some places receiving more than 3 feet. Kapalua, in Maui County, received 48 inches of rain over the weekend.

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said Saturday that the damage toll from Lala was already substantial. “We know there’s already at least $43m of damaged infrastructure on the Big Island, another $4.6m to homes, at the very least,” Green said in a video. “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.”

Hawaii activated its joint information center Saturday, just days after deactivating the center used for Lala. The center coordinates public updates from the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency.

There were no coastal watches or warnings in effect early Saturday morning, The Guardian reported, but residents were urged to monitor Moke’s progress. Forecasters also warned that the storm’s rainfall could contribute to dangerous rip currents.

Bissen acknowledged the strain on residents after back-to-back storms. “We know many in our community are experiencing storm fatigue and still recovering from last weekend’s weather system, so mahalo for continuing to look out for one another and staying prepared — especially because we are up against an above-average hurricane season,” he said.