Tropical Storm Moke brings heavy rain and flood risk to Hawaii as recovery from Lala continues

The National Hurricane Center issued an advisory indicating that Tropical Storm Moke will affect Hawaii’s Big Island with heavy rain and gusty winds through Monday, while also bringing rain to other islands. The storm is expected to remain offshore, passing south of the islands, but forecasters say as much as 15 inches of rain could fall on the Big Island and 3 to 6 inches on eastern Maui.

"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 advisory read.

The storm arrives less than a week after Hurricane Lala, which, despite not making landfall, dumped more than 30 inches of rain on parts of the state, causing widespread flooding, mudslides, road and bridge damage, and the loss of at least one life. More than 8,000 residents remained without power as of Saturday, with utilities estimating full restoration by Sept. 8.

Hawaii Governor Josh Green has asked the White House to declare an emergency, and Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda urged residents to prepare for additional strong winds and heavy rains from Moke.