300+ mm: Tropical Storm Moke threatens flooding rains in Hawaii
Very heavy rainfall is expected across communities recently hit hard by Hurricane Lala
Tropical Storm Moke may bring additional dangerous weather to Hawaii this weekend, just days after Hurricane Lala brought extreme rainfall and damaging winds to the island chain.
Forecasters expect significant impacts on the Big Island despite Moke’s core likely tracking far south of the Pacific archipelago.
DON’T MISS: What’s the difference between hurricanes, typhoons, and cyclones?
Folks across Hawaii continued cleaning up this week after Hurricane Lala brought flash flooding, landslides, and wind damage to the islands last weekend. One community on the Big Island saw more than 1,100 mm of rain from Lala as it swiped the region.
Additional heavy rainfall is expected as Tropical Storm Moke grows organized about 1,000 km southeast of Hawaii.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) predicts Moke to remain at tropical storm strength over the next several days as it moves west and tracks south of the Hawaiian Islands.
Numerous hazards are expected as the newly minted tropical storm passes through the region.
Very heavy rainfall is the greatest threat, with totals potentially exceeding 300 mm through this weekend on the windward side of the Big Island. Additional flash flooding and landslides are likely across areas still recovering from the recent storm.
The rest of Hawaii’s populated islands, including Maui and Oahu, may see 25-50+ mm of rain from this system, though forecasters note that there’s lower confidence outside of the Big Island.
Regardless of wind and rain impacts, residents and visitors are advised to stay out of the water due to the likelihood of rough surf and rip currents into early next week.