Tropical Storm Moke is closest to Hawaii as deadly Hurricane Lala batters parts of the island and the state braces for the threat of a second tropical cyclone in less than a week.
The most dangerous threat from this storm is rainfall, which is falling in the same areas where flooding occurred last weekend. This means less rainfall could cause “life-threatening flooding and landslides,” the National Hurricane Center warned.
A flood watch remains in effect for Hawaii Island until Monday afternoon.
Five to 10 inches of rain is expected on the Big Island, with up to 15 inches possible on the central and eastern slopes. Maui is expected to see 4 to 6 inches of rain, but the forecast is less certain on other islands, with totals generally lower than 1 to 2 inches, with isolated amounts of up to 4 inches or more possible.
Rainfall will increase over the Big Island and Maui by Sunday afternoon and spread to other islands late Sunday night and into Monday.
The island’s steep slopes push the wind upwards, squeezing water out of the air as it gets colder and can hold less moisture.
Moke is expected to maintain its strength as a tropical storm and follow a similar trajectory to Lala as it passes through Hawaii, but will move farther away as a weaker storm.
A wind advisory is in effect for parts of Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe and the Big Island until 6pm PT Sunday, although the strongest winds remain offshore. Wind gusts could reach 55 mph.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was closed Friday until further notice ahead of the storm. After Lara struck last week, the park still lacks power, internet and phone lines, and many of its employees are still recovering from the storm.
Lara’s eyewall skimmed the south coast of the Big Island, centered about 30 miles offshore. Forecasts say Moke’s center will be about 320 miles south of Hawaii Island during its closest approach late Sunday.
