Full Breakdown
Tropical Storm Moke Threatens Flood-Prone Hawaii After Hurricane Lala
8/24/2026, 8:37:08 PM
Core Event
On August 23, 2026 the National Hurricane Center located Tropical Storm Moke about 310 mi (500 km) south of Hilo. Maximum sustained winds were near 45 mph (75 km/h) with higher gusts in the islands’ terrain. The storm was forecast to track westward, passing south of the main islands while its outer rain bands draped the Big Island and eastern Maui.
Background & Context
A week earlier Hurricane Lala, a Category 1 system, brushed the southern tip of the Big Island, dumping a record 43.54 in (1.1 m) of rain on the northeast coast and triggering landslides, road washouts and widespread power loss. Two deaths were linked to Lala, and more than 8,000 residents remained without electricity. An ongoing El Niño pattern has warmed central-Pacific waters, increasing the likelihood of storms approaching Hawaii.
Data & Statistics
- Rainfall forecast: 5–10 in across the Big Island, with isolated maxima up to 15 in; eastern Maui 1–6 in; other islands 1–2 in (NHC).
- Flood risk: A Flood Watch was issued for the Big Island from late Saturday night through Monday afternoon, citing “life-threatening flooding and mudslides” on windward and southeast slopes (NWS).
- Power outages: More than 6,500 customers on the Big Island remained without electricity after Lala; full restoration is scheduled for September 8 (poweroutage.us).
- Emergency assets: Over 250 Hawaii National Guard personnel were positioned statewide, including 87 on the Big Island, with high-water vehicle teams ready to extract residents and clear roads (HI-EMA).
Official Statements & Responses
- Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda advised residents to stay off the roads and shelter in place, noting that shelters were open at several locations.
- HI-EMA and the National Guard activated joint information centers and pre-positioned assets to support county response efforts.
Verbatim Quotes
- “There will still be impacts, especially to the windward and southeast sides of the Big Island, but it will probably be a little bit more limited than what we saw with Lala,” — Casey Oswant
- “Please anticipate interruptions in power and communication and hazardous road conditions,” — Kimo Alameda, Hawaii County mayor
- “It could certainly have a big impact because we’ve already been hit hard,” — Gov. Josh Green
On-the-Ground Reports
Local residents described lingering impacts of Lala. One Hilo resident recalled three days without power, forcing families to discard perishable food, and noted that “the shelves were definitely empty” as neighbors stocked up for the next storm. Community volunteers set up emergency shelters at schools and community centers, providing generator power, hot showers and pet-friendly spaces.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Rainfall projections vary: most forecasts cite 5–10 in for the Big Island, while a few outlets mention totals up to 12 in. All agree isolated pockets could receive 15 in, but the exact distribution remains uncertain. No coastal watches or warnings were in effect, and timing of peak rain bands was not uniformly detailed.
What’s Next
- The Flood Watch remains active through Monday afternoon; residents in flood-prone areas should monitor local alerts.
- Power restoration is expected to be completed by September 8.
- The state’s request for a FEMA disaster declaration is pending, which would unlock additional federal resources.
- Forecast models suggest Moke will weaken to a tropical depression by early next week and dissipate by Tuesday, though rain may linger on the windward slopes of the Big Island.
