Tropical Storm Moke brings fresh rain threat to Hawaii's Big Island after Lala floods

A tropical storm moving toward the Hawaiian islands is set to bring heavy rain and surf to the Big Island on Sunday, a week after Hurricane Lala caused severe flooding and wind damage. The system, named Moke, is located about 300 miles southeast of Hilo and is forecast to track farther south than Lala, but the National Hurricane Center warned that 5 to 15 inches of rain could fall on the Big Island, especially on mountainous and eastern slopes, with flood watches already in effect.

Maui may receive up to four inches of rain and the smaller islands up to two inches, prompting concerns about flash flooding and landslides in those areas as well. While the storm is not expected to generate tropical storm-force winds for most of the islands, gusty conditions could affect higher terrain. Officials noted that the storm could encounter wind shear and drier air, which may limit its intensity as it moves westward by Tuesday.

"The most serious concern is additional heavy rain and flash flooding just days after Hurricane Lala triggered damaging flooding on the Big Island," a National Hurricane Center spokesperson said.