Tropical Storm Moke expected to bring heavy rain to Hawaii despite recent hurricane damage

Tropical Storm Moke is forecast to pass just south of the Hawaiian Islands this weekend, bringing heavy rainfall and gusty winds despite not being expected to make landfall. The National Hurricane Center reported maximum sustained winds of about 50 mph on Saturday and projected the storm to strengthen later in the day. Rainfall could reach 5 to 10 inches across much of the Big Island, with isolated amounts up to 15 inches, while eastern Maui may see 3 to 6 inches and the remaining islands 1 to 2 inches.

Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen warned that even light to moderate rain could cause flooding, debris flows, downed trees and power outages, given the recent impacts of Hurricane Lala. He urged residents to stay prepared as the region faces an above-average hurricane season. The National Hurricane Center cautioned that the rain could produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides on the windward and southeast slopes of the Big Island, especially in steep terrain still saturated from Lala.

Hawaii’s emergency management agency reactivated its joint information center to coordinate public updates after deactivating it following Lala. Officials noted that the current El Niño pattern, which warms eastern Pacific waters, creates favorable conditions for tropical cyclone development by reducing vertical wind shear.

The storm is expected to affect the Big Island on Saturday night and early Sunday, with the other islands experiencing impacts early next week.