Tropical Storm Moke weakened to a tropical depression on Sunday but remained a serious threat to Hawaii on Monday, arriving just one week after Hurricane Lala battered the island chain.
As of the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center, Moke packed maximum sustained winds of 35 mph and was moving west at 14 mph, according to CBS News. The storm's center passed south of the Big Island on Sunday, with its track forecast to continue well south of the smaller Hawaiian islands. Tropical storm warnings for surrounding waters were canceled by Sunday night.
The concern is not wind. It is rain falling onto ground that is already soaked. The National Hurricane Center warned that the rainfall "may produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides for the windward and southeast Big Island, especially in steep terrain and over areas that were affected recently by Lala." Rainfall totals on the Big Island are expected to span 5 to 10 inches, with up to 15 inches in some locations. Eastern Maui is forecast to receive 3 to 6 inches, and remaining islands could see 1 to 2 inches.
Hurricane Lala struck last week with significant force. The eye of the then-Category 1 storm passed just 30 miles off the Big Island's coast, bringing wind gusts over 80 mph and torrential rain. Some areas received more than 3 feet of rain. Kapalua, in Maui County, was hit with 48 inches of rain over that weekend. A hurricane has not made direct landfall in Hawaii since Iniki in 1992.
Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen issued a statement urging residents to prepare. "Recent impacts from Tropical Storm Lala mean that even light to moderate rain and wind could trigger flooding, debris, downed trees, roadway issues and power outages," Bissen said. "County departments have been preparing for Tropical Storm Moke, and we're asking our community to do the same."
Bissen also acknowledged the toll the back-to-back storms are taking on residents. "We know many in our community are experiencing storm fatigue and still recovering from last weekend's weather system, so mahalo for continuing to look out for one another and staying prepared — especially because we are up against an above-average hurricane season," he said.
Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources warned Sunday that the public should avoid forested and coastal areas and stay away from outdoor areas that may be exposed to additional hazards. CBS News meteorologist Nikki Nolan said flooding and mudslides on the Big Island could be life-threatening, particularly in steep terrain and in zones already weakened by Lala's impact. Maui officials also flagged concerns about potential flooding on that island.
