Tropical Storm Moke Advances Toward Hawaii With Heavy Rain

Tropical Storm Moke is advancing toward Hawaii, expected to bring heavy rainfall and gusty winds this weekend as it skirts south of the islands.

The storm packed maximum sustained winds of 45 mph as of Saturday evening local time and was moving west at 14 miles per hour. Moke's center was forecast to pass south of the Big Island on Sunday and well south of the smaller Hawaiian islands early next week. Little change in strength was expected Saturday, with weakening anticipated beginning Sunday.

Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen advised residents to prepare, noting that even light to moderate rain and wind could trigger flooding, debris, downed trees, roadway issues and power outages due to recent impacts from Tropical Storm Lala. The National Hurricane Center warned that Moke's rainfall could produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides for the windward and southeast Big Island, especially in steep terrain and areas affected by Hurricane Lala.

The Big Island was hit hard by Hurricane Lala last weekend, with some areas receiving over 3 feet of rain and Kapalua in Maui County experiencing 48 inches of rain. Residents are experiencing storm fatigue as they recover from Lala.