Tropical Storm Moke swept past Hawaii on Sunday, delivering heavy rainfall to Big Island communities that are still recovering from the aftermath of Hurricane Lala.
By Sunday morning, meteorologists at the National Hurricane Center tracked Moke’s center to approximately 310 miles (500 kilometers) south of Hilo.
Though maximum sustained winds reached 45 mph (75 kph), the main hazard remains torrential rain falling on areas where last week’s hurricane knocked down trees and power lines, caused mudslides, and damaged roads and infrastructure.
Two deaths were tied to Hurricane Lala.
Forecasters projected Moke to deposit as much as 10 inches (25 centimeters) of rain across the Big Island, with isolated totals reaching up to 15 inches (38 centimeters).
Such severe rainfall threatens to trigger life-threatening flash floods and mudslides along windward and southeast slopes, especially across steep terrain and zones previously saturated by Lala.
Eastern Maui, the neighboring island in the chain, could see up to 6 inches, while other islands may receive an inch or two, according to hurricane center forecasts.
As with Hurricane Lala, the Big Island is expected to absorb the brunt of Moke's rain and winds as it tracks westward, south of the island chain.
The northeastern shore of the Big Island logged the heaviest total rainfall from Lala at 43.54 inches (1.1 meters), according to weather service data. Meanwhile, poweroutage.us reported that more than 6,700 electricity customers, mostly on the Big Island, remained without power on Sunday.
Prior to Moke's approach, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green and emergency officials held a news briefing, advising residents to prepare by restocking supplies like food and medicines.
Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Iselle developed Sunday in warm eastern Pacific waters well offshore from Mexico's southwest coast.
Iselle maintained peak sustained winds of 45 mph (75 kph) and was located roughly 595 miles (955 kilometers) south-southwest of the southern tip of Mexico's Baja California peninsula.
No coastal watches or warnings were in place for the storm as it moved to the west-northwest at 12 mph (19 kph) far out at sea.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami stated that Tropical Storm Iselle could become a hurricane in another day or two, generating powerful ocean swells along Baja's western coast starting on Monday.
Tropical Storm Moke advances toward Hawaii as winds strengthen
Here’s what the strongest-ever El Nino means for UK weather in 2027
Heavy rain and winds to hit Hawaii less than a week after damage from Hurricane Lala
Mike Pence warns Trump he’ll have to ‘go in and finish the job’ in Iran
Trump set to attend America 250 Grand Prix on Washington DC’s National Mall: Live
Fast-moving wildfire in Nevada forces 90,000 to evacuate was human caused: sheriff
