Tropical Storm Moke is moving toward Hawaii less than one week after Hurricane Lala caused flooding and deaths across the state. According to the National Hurricane Center, the storm is forecast to pass approximately 200 miles south of the Big Island on Sunday, bringing a threat of heavy rainfall to regions still in the process of recovery.
The weather system follows the path of Hurricane Lala, which moved within 30 miles of the Big Island's coast the previous week. While Moke is expected to be weaker than the previous hurricane, meteorologists report that its rainfall could trigger additional flooding and mudslides because the ground is already saturated from previous storms.
Forecasters expect the Big Island to receive between 5 and 10 inches of rain, with some eastern and central slopes potentially seeing up to 15 inches. Other islands, including Maui, are projected to receive 1 to 2 inches, with isolated areas reaching 4 inches. In response to the forecast, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park announced it would close at 5 p.m. Friday, noting that the park currently lacks power and communication lines due to damage from the previous storm.
The scale of the recovery effort involves state agencies currently working to clear downed utility poles and rebuild washed-out roads. Major Gen. Stephen Logan of the Hawaii Department of Defense stated that teams are also working to recover human remains swept away from cemeteries; as of Thursday, 60 remains had been recovered. Additionally, officials are monitoring the Wahiawa Dam, where water levels rose more than 20 feet during the previous week's rainfall.
Rainfall is expected to continue through Tuesday, potentially complicating ongoing search and restoration efforts. State officials have begun preparing hotel rooms and supplies for residents who may be displaced by new flooding or power outages. The National Hurricane Center warned that even lower rainfall totals could be dangerous due to the weakened state of the terrain and infrastructure across the islands.