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Moke forms after Lala
Tropical Storm Moke developed in the Pacific Ocean and strengthened into a tropical storm on Friday, with 45 mph winds as Hawaii’s Big Island braced for more rain days after Hurricane Lala.
“The Big Island could see rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches.”
ABC News said the Big Island could see rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches, with maximum amounts of 15 inches across the Big Island, and that the storm could bring life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in steep terrain and in areas impacted by Lala.
The Associated Press reported 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 it advanced toward Hawaii.
Al Jazeera said Moke was expected to pass south of Hawaii Island overnight and into the following morning, and it noted that the islands were still recovering from Hurricane Lala, which forced nearly 130,000 utility customers to lose power.
In the wake of Lala’s damage, the National Hurricane Center projected Moke would bring roughly 130mm to 250mm (5 to 10 inches) of rainfall over the next two days on the southeast and windward sides of the Big Island, with some isolated areas seeing as much as 380mm (15 inches).
Forecasts, winds, and officials
Hawaii Governor Josh Green urged residents to prepare for Moke by restocking food, medicine and other daily essentials, saying in a video statement, "It could certainly have a big impact because we've already been hit hard."
Al Jazeera reported Green also said, "We’re pre-positioning all kinds of additional equipment and people," and added that he had authorized 100 rooms, hotel rooms, for people to go to.
Casey Oswant, a meteorologist with the Honolulu office of the US National Weather Service, said, "There will still be impacts, especially to the windward and southeast sides of the Big Island," while warning it would probably be "a little bit more limited than what we saw with Lala."
The Associated Press said Moke was forecast to continue its westward path near the islands through early Tuesday, and it described Lala’s aftermath as downed trees, swept buildings off their foundations, and roads covered in mud and rocks.
ABC News added that thousands on the Big Island were still without power after Lala, underscoring the risk that additional flooding rain and mudslides could compound ongoing recovery.
What’s at stake next
Forecasters warned that even light to moderate rain and wind could trigger dangerous outcomes because the ground remained saturated after Hurricane Lala, with the National Hurricane Center warning of life-threatening flooding and mudslides.
“A flood watch is in effect for the Big Island.”
The Guardian said rainfall predictions for the south-east and windward sides of the Big Island were 5-10in (13-25cm), with as much as 15in (38cm) in isolated areas, and it tied the threat to areas that received strong precipitation during Hurricane Lala.
The Weather Channel reported that a flood watch was in effect for the Big Island and said the National Hurricane Center indicated 5 to 15 inches of rain is possible, especially over the mountains and eastern slopes, which could mean additional life-threatening flash flooding and landslides.
The Associated Press said the northeast coast of the Big Island saw the heaviest total rainfall from Lala at 43.54 inches (1.1 meters), and it reported that more than 8,000 customers remained without power according to poweroutage.us.
Looking beyond Moke’s closest approach, Al Jazeera warned Governor Green that heavy rain was unlikely to end with Moke, saying, "This storm will be followed by another storm front about a week later, and we continue to see the impacts of these major weather fronts that have hit Hawaii."