Tropical Storm Moke Advances toward Hawaii as Winds Strengthen

Tropical Storm Moke is expected to make landfall in the south of Hawaii's islands this coming Saturday evening, following in the wake of Hurricane Lala which recently devastated the region. The National Weather Service predicts heavy rainfall and strong winds during the storm, with forecasters warning of significant flooding and mudslides, especially in areas already affected by Hurricane Lala.

According to Casey Oswant, an NWS meteorologist, rainfall predictions for the weekend range from 1-10 inches across the island chain, with isolated areas potentially seeing up to 15 inches of rain. The NWS has issued a warning for flooding and mudslides, which could be particularly problematic in regions that have already experienced heavy precipitation from Hurricane Lala.

Hawaii Governor Josh Green has estimated that Hurricane Lala has already caused at least $43 million in damaged infrastructure on the Big Island, with an additional $4.6 million in home damage. While there are currently no coastal watches or warnings in effect, residents are encouraged to closely monitor the storm's progress, as the rainfall could result in dangerous rip currents, life-threatening flooding, and mudslides, particularly in steep areas and where the ground is still saturated.