Hawaii Braces for New Tropical Storm Moke
Sandego.net – Hawaii braces for new tropical activity less than seven days after Hurricane Lala’s catastrophic flooding devastated the Big Island. Tropical Depression Two-C sat more than 700 miles southeast of the islands early Friday morning, local time, per the National Hurricane Center, and forecasters expect it to intensify into Tropical Storm Moke by Friday before following a path reminiscent of Lala’s toward the Hawaiian chain.
Storm Track and Rainfall Outlook
Moke is projected to remain weaker than Lala and pass roughly 180 miles south of the Big Island on Sunday, reducing the wind threat but not the rainfall danger. Lala’s eyewall had brushed the southern coast with its center only about 30 miles offshore; the new storm’s closer approach will be far more distant. Forecast models are still adjusting to the system’s evolving structure, and its ultimate strength will determine whether it drifts northward toward the islands or stays farther offshore.
Even with a wider miss, the rain hazard remains severe. Because the Big Island’s soils are already saturated from Lala, far less precipitation is needed to trigger what the hurricane center calls “life-threatening flooding and mudslides.” Five to 10 inches of rain are expected across the Big Island, with up to 15 inches possible on the central and eastern slopes. Maui and the remaining islands face lower totals of 1 to 4 inches, with isolated amounts up to 5 inches. Rainfall is expected to begin on the Big Island by late Saturday night or early Sunday, spreading to the other islands later Sunday night into Monday.
Recovery Efforts After Hurricane Lala
The islands remain deep in recovery from Lala, which dumped over three and a half feet of rain on the Big Island’s mountains and set off devastating landslides and flash floods. A 93-year-old woman died of storm-related injuries last week, according to the Hawaii Police Department, which is also investigating the death of a 60-year-old man believed to be storm-related. Gov. Josh Green told reporters Thursday that mud, water, rock, and debris destroyed large parts of Naʻalehu in the island’s south, smothering some houses in mud up to 10 feet deep, and that more than 100 homes were lost to Lala.
Crews are still clearing downed trees and utility poles while thousands remain without power, and roads washed away by floodwaters are only now beginning reconstruction. A dedicated team is working to locate and secure human remains swept from inundated cemeteries before the next storm arrives; Major Gen. Stephen Logan, Adjutant General of the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Defense, said the team had recovered over 60 remains as of Thursday. The state is also preparing supplies and hotel rooms for those who may be displaced, and monitoring water levels at Wahiawa Dam, which rose more than 20 feet after Lala.
Officials are urging residents in vulnerable areas to act now, before conditions worsen. “If you can leave a flood-prone area early, stay with friends or family, think about that now,” National Weather Service meteorologist John Bravender said. “So you can get ready for that before the rain starts this weekend.”
FAQ: What Should Hawaii Residents Do Now?
When will rain arrive? On the Big Island, expect rain beginning late Saturday night or early Sunday, local time. Other islands will see precipitation later Sunday night into Monday.
How much rain should I prepare for? Plan for 5 to 10 inches on the Big Island, with up to 15 inches possible on central and eastern slopes. Maui and neighboring islands face 1 to 4 inches, with isolated amounts up to 5 inches.
Why is this storm dangerous if it stays farther away? The ground is already saturated from Lala’s over-three-foot rainfall. Far less additional rain is needed to trigger life-threatening flooding and mudslides, meaning even a storm that tracks 180 miles offshore can produce catastrophic local impacts.
What should I do before the rain starts? If you live in a flood-prone or landslide-susceptible area, consider leaving early and staying with friends or family. Charge phones, gather medications and essentials, and monitor National Weather Service updates. Evacuation becomes significantly harder once heavy rain begins.
“If you can leave a flood-prone area early, stay with friends or family, think about that now. So you can get ready for that before the rain starts this weekend.” — John Bravender, National Weather Service
