Tropical Storm Moke Brings Heavy Rain to Hawaii as Region Recovers from Hurricane Lala
Tropical Storm Moke was swirling past Hawaii on Sunday, close enough to dump heavy rain on Big Island communities still recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Lala, according to reports from multiple outlets, including The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Live 5 News WCSC.
Moke Approaches Hawaii
The National Hurricane Center located Moke's center about 320 miles (515 kilometers) south-southwest of Hilo around midday, with top sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph). However, forecasters said the real impact was expected from rainfall in areas where last weekend's hurricane had already flooded communities, triggered mudslides, and damaged roads and power lines.
Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda advised residents in a social media post Sunday that they "should stay off the roads and shelter in place" as a precaution. He noted that anyone in need could take refuge at shelters that the county had opened at several locations.
Forecasters expected Moke to produce as much as 10 inches (25 centimeters) of rain across the Big Island, with up to 15 inches (38 centimeters) in isolated spots, potentially causing life-threatening flooding and mudslides on windward and southeast slopes, especially in steep terrain and over areas already affected by Lala. The storm's center was expected to pass south of the Big Island later in the day, then move south of the smaller main islands early in the week.
Eastern Maui was expected to receive up to 6 inches (15 centimeters) of rain, and other islands might see 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 centimeters), according to the hurricane center.
Hurricane Lala's Aftermath
Two deaths have been linked to Hurricane Lala in Hawaii, as reported by several outlets. The Big Island bore the brunt of Lala's rainfall, with the northeast coast recording 43.54 inches (1.1 meters) of rain, the heaviest total, according to the weather service. Lala was later downgraded but remained a strong tropical storm far out in the Central Pacific as of Sunday.
Official Preparedness and Power Outages
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green urged residents to prepare by restocking supplies ahead of Moke's approach, as reported in the same articles. Additionally, more than 6,500 customers in Hawaii County were without power stemming from Lala, according to poweroutage.us.
Tropical Storm Iselle and Other Pacific Activity
While Hawaii deals with Moke, the National Hurricane Center is also tracking Tropical Storm Iselle in the eastern Pacific. Newsweek reported that Iselle had maximum sustained winds of 60 mph as of Monday morning and was forecast to strengthen into a hurricane later that night. Spaghetti models, as presented by Newsweek, show Iselle curving into the Pacific, away from Baja California, and the NHC forecast shows a nearly identical path. The NHC stated that Iselle is moving toward the northwest near 13 mph (20 km/h), with a turn toward the west-northwest expected on Tuesday.
Swells from Iselle are affecting the west coast of Baja California and are expected to cause life-threatening surf and rip currents for the next couple of days.
Additional Systems and Development Chances
Newsweek also reported that the National Hurricane Center is monitoring four additional areas of interest with potential for tropical development, with chances of 80%, 50%, and two low chances (one at 20% and another unspecified). One disturbance with a 50% chance of development, if it forms, is expected to be short-lived as it will likely be absorbed by Tropical Storm Iselle.
Forecast Outlook
Forecasters noted that warm ocean waters and a strengthening El Niño continue to fuel storm formation across the Pacific, contributing to a remarkably busy basin. The immediate threat for Hawaii remains Moke's heavy rainfall, while the Big Island continues its recovery from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Lala.
As the storms move, officials and residents are urged to stay informed and heed safety warnings.