Tropical Storm Moke was moving past Hawaii on Sunday, bringing heavy rain to Big Island communities following Hurricane Lala. The National Hurricane Center located Moke’s center approximately 320 miles (515 kilometers) south-southwest of Hilo during the day. Moke’s sustained winds were around 40 mph (65 kph). The primary concern was rainfall affecting areas already impacted by last weekend’s hurricane, which caused flooding, mudslides, and damage to roads and power lines. Two fatalities linked to the hurricane were reported in Hawaii.
Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda advised residents to “stay off the roads and shelter in place” as a precaution through a social media post on Sunday. Residents in need could find refuge at county shelters available at several locations.
Forecasters anticipated up to 10 inches (25 centimeters) of rain across the Big Island, with up to 15 inches (38 centimeters) possible in isolated areas. Such rainfall could lead to life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially on windward and southeast slopes, steep terrains, and regions affected by Lala. The storm’s center was expected to pass south of the Big Island and then south of Hawaii’s smaller main islands. Eastern Maui could receive up to 6 inches (15 centimeters) of rain, while other islands might experience one to two inches (between 2.5 and 5 centimeters), per hurricane center data.
An uprooted tree was seen along Hawaii Belt Road after Hurricane Lala near Pahala, Hawaii, on Aug. 16. A vehicle was captured driving past it. Stephen Lam from the San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images shared the image.
Similar to Hurricane Lala, the Big Island was poised to encounter Moke’s strongest rain and winds as the storm moved westward beneath the island chain. Once it moved away, Lala was downgraded to a strong tropical storm far out in the Central Pacific on Sunday.
The northeast coast of the Big Island experienced the highest rainfall from Lala, recording 43.54 inches (1.1 meters), according to the weather service.
Prior to Moke’s approach, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green encouraged people to prepare by restocking food, medicine, and other essentials. More than 6,500 customers in the county remained without power on Sunday due to Lala’s aftermath, as reported by poweroutage.us.
In the eastern Pacific, Tropical Storm Iselle formed earlier Sunday, gaining strength away from Mexico’s southwest coast. Iselle’s sustained winds were 50 mph (85 kph) on Sunday afternoon, situated around 535 miles (860 kilometers) southwest of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula’s southern tip. No coastal watches or warnings were issued for Iselle as it moved northwest at 16 mph (26 kph). The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami indicated Iselle could become a hurricane within a day or two, expected to generate strong ocean swells along Baja’s western coastline starting Monday.