Tropical Storm Moke passed near Hawaii on Sunday, bringing heavy rainfall and flood risks to the Big Island and eastern Maui [1, 2].
The timing of the storm is critical because the islands are still recovering from the devastation caused by Hurricane Lala [4]. Additional flooding and dangerous surf threaten to hamper ongoing recovery efforts and endanger residents in vulnerable areas.
Weather forecasts indicate significant precipitation across the region. The Big Island is expected to see rainfall up to 25 cm [1], while some isolated areas could receive as much as 38 cm [1]. Other reports suggest potential rainfall exceeding 300 mm [3].
Eastern Maui is also under threat, with forecasts predicting up to 15 cm of rain [2]. The storm formed in the Pacific and strengthened as it advanced toward the archipelago [3].
Local authorities have warned of the risk of flooding and dangerous surf conditions along the coastlines. The combination of saturated ground from previous weather events and the intensity of Moke increases the likelihood of landslides, and flash floods.
Residents in the affected areas have been urged to monitor weather updates as the storm moves through the region. The storm's path has placed the Big Island and eastern Maui in the direct line of the heaviest precipitation [1, 3].
“Tropical Storm Moke passed near Hawaii on Sunday, bringing heavy rainfall and flood risks.”
The arrival of Tropical Storm Moke immediately following Hurricane Lala creates a compounding disaster scenario. When a region is hit by successive storms, the soil becomes saturated, which significantly increases the risk of mudslides and urban flooding even if the second storm is less powerful than the first. This sequence places immense pressure on local infrastructure and emergency services already stretched thin by previous recovery efforts.
