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Moke follows Lala
Tropical Storm Moke advanced toward Hawaii on Saturday, likely bringing more heavy rainfall and strong gusts to the Big Island where residents were still dealing with Hurricane Lala’s aftermath.
“Maximum sustained winds were around 50 mph (85 kph), the National Hurricane Center said.”
The Associated Press said Moke was located about 425 miles (680 kilometers) southeast of Hilo and moving west-northwest at 12 mph (19 kph), with maximum sustained winds around 50 mph (85 kph) as the National Hurricane Center tracked it.
Casey Oswant, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Honolulu, said, "There will still be impacts, especially to the windward and southeast sides of the Big Island, but it will probably be a little bit more limited than what we saw with Lala," as Moke passed south of a direct hit late Saturday into early Sunday.
The Guardian reported rainfall predictions for the weekend for the south-east and windward sides of the Big Island of 5-10in (13-25cm), with as much as 15in (38cm) in isolated areas, while the rest of the island chain was expected to see 1-2in (2-5cm) of rain.
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 after Lala’s damage.
Forecasts and warnings
The National Hurricane Center warned that the rainfall from Moke had the potential to cause dangerous rip currents, life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in steep areas and places where the ground remains saturated.
The Guardian quoted Casey Oswant saying, "There will still be impacts, especially to the windward and south-east sides of the Big Island," while the Associated Press described the Big Island expected to bear the brunt of Moke’s rain and heavy winds as it passes south of a direct hit late Saturday into early Sunday.
Moke’s projected rainfall totals for the southeast and windward sides of the Big Island were 5 to 10 inches (13 to 25 centimeters), with as much as 15 inches (38 centimeters) in isolated areas, according to Oswant’s forecast.
Across the rest of the island chain, the Associated Press said 1 to 2 inches (2 to 5 centimeters) of rain was expected, though parts of east Maui could see up to 4 inches (10 centimeters).
The Associated Press also reported that there were no coastal watches or warnings in effect, but people were urged to closely monitor the storm’s progress.
Recovery pressure
Hawaii’s preparations for Moke came as officials assessed damage from Hurricane Lala, with the Guardian reporting that Green said there had already been at least $43m of damaged infrastructure on the Big Island and another $4.6m damage to homes from Lala.
“there had already been at least $43m of damaged infrastructure on the Big Island”
In a statement carried by the Guardian, Green said, "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."
The Associated Press reported that Lala downed trees, swept buildings off their foundations, damaged roads and bridges and left roads covered in mud and rocks, and it said two storm-related deaths were reported.
The Associated Press also said more than 8,000 customers on the Big Island remained without power, underscoring the continuing disruption as Moke moved westward near the islands through early Tuesday.
As Moke threatened additional rain and wind, the Associated Press quoted Tiffany Edwards Hunt, a teacher living in Keaau, saying, "There’s definitely tension in the air" at the thought of more rain in communities that floodwaters turned into rivers.