Tropical Storm Moke threatens Hawaii Island after Lala
Tropical Storm Moke is passing south of Hawaii but still threatens Hawaii Island with heavy rain, gusty winds, and flash flooding through Monday. The minimal storm follows Hurricane Lala, which left saturated ground across the Big Island. Forecasters warn even modest rainfall could trigger dangerous flooding and mudslides on windward slopes.
Residents across the state are monitoring official advisories as the system tracks west. For more on how forecasting technology is changing disaster preparedness, visit our Future Tech & AI Wonders section.
Key Takeaways
- At 11 a.m. Sunday, the National Hurricane Center placed Moke about 320 miles south-southeast of Hilo, moving west at 15 mph.
- Maximum sustained winds were 40 mph, with tropical-storm-force winds extending up to 45 miles from the center.
- A Flood Watch is in effect through Monday afternoon for Hawaii Island, where 3 to 6 inches of rain is expected and up to 15 inches may fall on windward slopes.
- Wind advisories cover gust-prone areas of Maui County and Hawaii Island, with east-northeast winds of 25 to 30 mph and gusts up to 50 mph possible.
- Moke should weaken to a post-tropical remnant low by Tuesday while staying well south of the smaller main Hawaiian Islands.
Where is Tropical Storm Moke now?
According to the National Hurricane Center, Tropical Storm Moke was centred about 320 miles south-southeast of Hilo at 11 a.m. Sunday local time. The system was moving west at 15 miles per hour with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph and higher gusts.
The center of the storm is passing south of Hawaii Island and is expected to continue westward, well south of the smaller main Hawaiian Islands early in the week. Moke is forecast to gradually lose strength and become a post-tropical remnant low by Tuesday.
The Weather Channel's 2026 hurricane season tracker shows satellite imagery of the Pacific Basin, Moke's current location, and areas being monitored for possible development alongside Tropical Storms Lala and Iselle.
Why does this storm matter for Hawaii Island?
Moke arrives less than a week after Hurricane Lala battered Hawaii. Although Lala did not make landfall, it dropped more than 30 inches of rain on some areas in a short period, triggering floods and mudslides that destroyed roads and bridges.
Floodwaters swept through several towns and lifted homes from their foundations. More than 8,000 people remained without power as of Saturday morning, and Hawaiian Electric said full restoration is not expected until Sept. 8.
Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda urged residents on Sunday to prepare for another round of strong winds and heavy rains. "Please anticipate interruptions in power and communication and hazardous road conditions," he wrote on social media. Hawaii Gov. Josh Green has also requested federal emergency assistance following Lala's damage.
How much rain and wind should residents expect?
Cloud bands along the northern edge of the tropical storm could produce 3 to 6 inches of rain across Hawaii Island, with maximum amounts of 15 inches over windward and southeast slopes. The National Weather Service cautioned that saturated ground from Hurricane Lala means it will not take much additional rainfall to produce flash flooding.
For the remainder of the islands, moisture drawn northward from Moke may bring up to 1 or 2 inches of rain. Gusty winds are likely across the Hawaiian Islands during the next couple of days, especially in high-terrain areas, before conditions ease toward more typical trade winds by Tuesday.
NPR reported that the National Hurricane Center warned this rainfall may produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides for the windward and southeast Big Island, especially in steep terrain and over areas recently affected by Lala. Eastern Maui could see 3 to 6 inches of rain.
What should Hawaii residents do next?
Officials say Moke's center is not expected to make landfall, but outer rain bands and gusty winds still pose serious risks on Hawaii Island. Residents in flood-prone areas should follow local alerts, avoid unnecessary travel, and monitor updates from the National Hurricane Center and National Weather Service.
Download local weather apps and check official tracker maps as the 2026 Pacific hurricane season continues. Recovery from Lala and preparation for Moke remain parallel priorities for state and county emergency teams across the islands.