Tropical Storm Moke Heads for Hawaii: Live Path Updates, Impact Timing & Safety Tips

Tropical Storm Moke is churning through the Central Pacific and zeroing in on Hawaii just days after Hurricane Lala’s devastating floods. As of Saturday morning, the National Hurricane Center placed Moke roughly 550 miles (885 km) southeast of Hilo with sustained winds near 60 mph. Forecast models keep the circulation on a west-northwest track that will slide about 200 miles south of the Big Island late Sunday into Monday, limiting wind impacts but funneling a plume of tropical moisture straight at the state. Key impacts expected • Rainfall: 5–10 inches, with isolated pockets to 15 inches, are likely across windward and upslope areas of Hawai‘i Island; Maui could pick up 2–4 inches, while O‘ahu and Kaua‘i see 1–2 inches. Saturated ground from Lala means even moderate downpours could trigger life-threatening flash floods and landslides. • Winds: Gusts 40–50 mph are possible on the Big Island’s southern and eastern coasts; lighter but still breezy conditions will reach the rest of the chain. • Surf: East-facing shores will build to 10–15 ft, creating hazardous rip currents through Monday. State of readiness • The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for Hawai‘i County, and additional watches may follow. • Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park will close at 5 p.m. Saturday to protect visitors and staff still repairing Lala damage. • Emergency crews are pre-staging high-water vehicles, generators and bottled water in Na‘alehu and Hilo, where mudflows reached 10 ft last week. What residents should do now 1. Clear drainage ditches and gutters before rain bands arrive late Saturday night. 2. Review evacuation routes if you live near streams, gulches or steep slopes. 3. Stock a 72-hour kit with medications, flashlights and phone chargers; power outages remain likely. 4. Avoid driving through ponding water; just 12 inches can sweep away most cars. Why back-to-back storms? An El Niño-warmed Pacific and record-hot ocean temperatures south of Hawai‘i have weakened the islands’ usual “hurricane shield,” allowing both Lala and now Moke to survive farther north than typical seasons. While Moke is expected to remain a tropical storm, residents should remember that water, not wind, is often the deadliest threat in Hawai‘i’s terrain. Bottom line Tropical Storm Moke won’t deliver Lala-level winds, but its slow-moving rain bands over already saturated ground could be equally perilous. Stay informed, stay off flooded roads, and monitor official updates as the system makes its closest pass on Sunday night.