Hawaii faces another round of dangerous weather as Tropical Storm Moke advances toward the islands, threatening to compound damage from Hurricane Lala that struck less than a week ago.
The Big Island of Hawaii is already experiencing impacts from Tropical Storm Moke, with rainfall expected to continue affecting multiple islands through Monday, according to a late Saturday night advisory from the NOAA NWS National Hurricane Center.
Forecasters predict the storm will dump up to 15 inches of rain across the Big Island, with eastern Maui anticipated to receive between 3 and 6 inches. While the center of Tropical Storm Moke is not forecast to make landfall and will pass south of the Hawaiian islands, the precipitation poses severe risks.
"This rainfall may produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides for the windward and southeast Big Island, especially in deep terrain and over areas that were recently affected by Lala," the National Hurricane Center stated in its advisory.
Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda urged residents on Sunday to prepare for hazardous conditions as the storm approaches.
"Please anticipate interruptions in power and communication and hazardous road conditions," Alameda wrote on social media.
The warning comes as Hawaii continues grappling with extensive damage from Hurricane Lala, which has since been downgraded to a tropical storm and is moving northwest across the Pacific Ocean away from the islands at reduced speed. Although Hurricane Lala never made landfall, the system unleashed more than 30 inches of rain on portions of Hawaii within a compressed timeframe.
The deluge triggered catastrophic flooding and mudslides that obliterated roads and bridges throughout the islands. Floodwaters surged through multiple communities with such force that homes were lifted from their foundations.
As of Saturday morning, more than 8,000 residents remained without electrical service. Hawaiian Electric, the local grid company, has indicated that complete restoration of power is not anticipated until September 8.
Hurricane Lala claimed at least one life—a 90-year-old woman who died in flooding caused by the storm, according to Hawaii Public Radio.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green signed a request on Saturday asking the White House to declare an emergency in response to Hurricane Lala's destruction.
With Tropical Storm Moke now bearing down on areas already weakened by recent flooding, officials emphasize the heightened danger facing communities still recovering from the previous storm. Residents in affected areas should monitor weather updates closely and heed evacuation orders if issued by local authorities.
