Tropical Depression Moke weakened Sunday evening as it passed well south of Hawaii, according to the National Hurricane Center. While the storm’s center remained over 300 miles away from the Big Island, forecasters reported that heavy rainfall remained a concern for the region through Monday. The system is the second tropical weather event to affect the state in one week following Hurricane Lala.
The National Hurricane Center warned of life-threatening flooding and mudslides, noting that Moke's rainfall is falling on areas already saturated by Hurricane Lala. According to park officials, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park closed on Friday in anticipation of the storm and remains without power, internet, or phone service. The park noted that many employees are still in the process of recovering from the previous hurricane.
By late Sunday night, parts of the Big Island had recorded over one inch of rain. The forecast indicates that windward and southeast sections of the Big Island, as well as eastern Maui, could receive an additional 3 to 6 inches of rain through Monday. Western Maui and other islands are expected to see up to 1 to 2 inches. Moke is projected to continue moving westward and is forecast to dissipate by Tuesday.
The weather event affects residents and emergency responders on the Big Island and Maui who are managing the aftermath of Hurricane Lala. Rainfall totals of up to 6 inches are possible in certain areas, following a week where Hurricane Lala's eyewall brushed the southern coast of the Big Island while its center was roughly 30 miles offshore. For those in the affected zones, the primary concern is the cumulative effect of rain on saturated soil, which the National Hurricane Center stated increases the risk of mudslides and flooding even with lower precipitation amounts than the previous storm.
Residents will notice the continued closure of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which has been without utility services since the prior week. For the park's staff, this second storm delays restoration efforts for electricity and telecommunications. The immediate threat is expected to subside as the system moves away from the islands. According to the National Hurricane Center, Moke is forecast to dissipate by Tuesday. A flood watch for the region remained in effect through Monday afternoon.