Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Tropical Storm Moke Brings More Rain to Flooded Hawaii
Tropical Storm Moke is moving toward Hawaii.
Forecasters said it could bring heavy rain and strong winds to the Big Island.
The storm was expected to pass south of the island rather than make a direct hit.
The most affected areas could be the windward and southeast sides of the Big Island.
Some places could receive more than 25 centimetres of rain.
Heavy rain could cause flooding, mudslides and dangerous ocean currents.
This is especially risky because the ground is still very wet from Hurricane Lala.
Lala damaged roads, bridges, buildings and trees, and two people died.
State officials urged residents to prepare with food, medicine and other essentials.
Tropical Storm Moke strengthened to winds of about 85 kph while moving toward Hawaii.
Moke was about 680 kilometres southeast of Hilo and moving west-northwest at 19 kph.
The Big Island was expected to receive the storm’s strongest winds and heaviest rain late Saturday into early Sunday.
Rainfall could reach 13-25 centimetres on the Big Island’s windward and southeast sides, with isolated totals up to 38 centimetres.
More than 8,000 Big Island customers remained without power after Hurricane Lala, which caused two reported deaths.
- Who
- Tropical Storm Moke, Hawaii residents, state officials and weather forecasters.
- What
- Moke was advancing toward Hawaii with strengthening winds and the potential for heavy rain, flooding and mudslides.
- When
- Moke was expected to affect the islands from late Saturday through early Tuesday.
- Where
- The greatest effects were expected on the Big Island, especially its windward and southeast sides; parts of east Maui could also receive heavy rain.
- Why
- The storm was moving toward Hawaii while communities were still recovering from flooding, wind damage and power outages caused by Hurricane Lala.
- Storm winds
- Maximum sustained winds were around 85 kph.
- Location
- Moke was about 680 kilometres southeast of Hilo.
- Movement
- The storm was moving west-northwest at 19 kph.
- Big Island rainfall
- Forecast totals were 13-25 centimetres, with isolated areas possibly receiving up to 38 centimetres.
- Other rainfall
- Most of the island chain was forecast to receive 2-5 centimetres; parts of east Maui could receive up to 10 centimetres.
- Previous storm damage
- Hurricane Lala caused two reported deaths and left more than 8,000 Big Island customers without power.
- Official advice
- Residents were urged to monitor Moke and prepare food, medicine and other essentials.