Hawaii’s Big Island is bracing for renewed flooding from Tropical Storm Moke, just over a week after Hurricane Lala left more than 100 homes damaged or destroyed and cut power to over 116,000 homes and businesses across the state.
A Second Storm in Ten Days
The National Hurricane Center issued its first advisory on the system, then Tropical Depression Two-C, last Thursday, before it strengthened into a tropical storm on Friday and later weakened again over the weekend. As of Sunday, Moke was tracking close enough to Hawaii to bring several inches of rain to the Big Island early this week, with forecasters warning that a general 4 to 8 inches of rain is expected, with isolated totals between 8 and 12 inches and a possible local maximum of up to 24 inches in the worst-hit areas.
Hilo is forecast to receive between 2 and 6 inches of rain, while higher terrain across the islands could see 1 to 2 inches. Though Moke is expected to bring less intense rainfall than Lala did, meteorologists have cautioned that it would not take much additional rain to trigger flash flooding, given how saturated the ground remains.
Why the Risk Is Higher Than Usual
The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency has urged residents in flood-prone areas to prepare a “go bag” in case evacuation becomes necessary, and warned that some roads and drainage systems remain damaged or clogged with debris from Lala’s passage. Some hillsides also remain unstable after the earlier storm, raising the risk of mudslides and washouts even from comparatively modest rainfall.
Hurricane Lala, which passed south of the Big Island earlier this month, damaged or destroyed more than 100 homes, according to Hawaii Governor Josh Green, and knocked out power to over 116,000 homes and businesses at its peak. One person was killed in a car accident during the storm, though officials said it was not clear whether the crash was storm-related.
What Officials Are Advising
Local authorities have not issued mandatory evacuations for Moke as of Monday, but have urged residents near flood-prone areas to monitor forecasts closely and avoid driving through moving water. The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency reiterated its standard flood safety guidance: never attempt to cross moving water on foot or in a vehicle, and be aware that heavy rain upstream can cause flooding even in areas where it is not currently raining.
Officials say conditions should become clearer as Moke moves through the islands over the next day, with the storm expected to weaken further as it continues west.
