Tropical Storm Moke Nears Hawaii as Big Island Faces Flood Threat

On Friday, August 21, 2026, Tropical Storm Moke formed in the Central Pacific southeast of the Hawaiian Islands and is forecast to pass south of the island chain over the weekend. Emergency officials warn that up to 15 inches of rain could fall on the already flood-saturated Big Island, raising the risk of life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides as communities continue recovering from Hurricane Lala.

Editor’s note: This article draws on advisories from the Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC) and National Weather Service (NWS) Honolulu, statements by Hawaii Gov. Josh Green, and reporting by ABC News, CNN, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, and Hawaiʻi Public Radio, August 20–22, 2026. Storm tracks and rainfall totals can shift; follow local warnings.

Storm status and forecast track

Moke strengthened from Tropical Depression Two-C on August 21. As of Friday evening, the storm carried maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and was located less than 600 miles southeast of Hilo, moving west-northwest at about 12 mph, according to the CPHC.

Detail	Forecast
Closest approach	South of the Big Island Saturday night into Sunday; smaller islands through Monday
Intensity	Expected to remain a tropical storm — weaker than Lala and tracking farther south
Wind threat	Low for the main islands; no tropical storm watches or warnings were in effect as of Friday
Cone of uncertainty	No island was within the five-day cone under the latest CPHC track

Forecasters said Moke’s compact size and southern track make direct wind impacts unlikely for most of the state. The primary hazard is rain, not surge or hurricane-force gusts.

Flood watch and rainfall totals

The NWS issued a flood watch for all of Hawaiʻi Island from late Saturday night through Monday afternoon. Officials stressed that saturated ground means even moderate rainfall could trigger rapid flooding.

Area	Expected rainfall
Big Island (windward & southeast)	5–10 inches, with localized peaks up to 15 inches
Eastern Maui	1–2 inches, up to 4 inches locally
Remaining islands	1–3 inches, with maximum amounts near 5 inches

“Heavy rainfall from Moke could produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides for the windward and southeast portions of Hawaiʻi Island, especially in steep terrain and over areas that were affected recently by Lala,” the CPHC forecast stated.

Flood-prone roads, low-lying crossings, and urban drainage systems are at elevated risk. Forecasters warned that rapid runoff could close roads and cause property damage in towns including Hilo, Puna, and Kau districts.

Recovery from Hurricane Lala

Moke arrives less than a week after Hurricane Lala — a Category 1 storm that passed roughly 30 miles south of South Point on August 17 with sustained winds near 80 mph and higher gusts.

Lala’s impacts on the Big Island were severe:

• Two fatalities linked to floodwaters
• More than 100 homes damaged or destroyed, according to the governor’s office
• Homes buried under up to 10 feet of mud in the Kau district
• Graves disturbed at Naalehu Cemetery
• More than a foot of rain across parts of the state; highest elevations recorded 40+ inches
• Thousands still without power in the days after landfall

Gov. Green told Hawaiʻi Public Radio on August 20 that water, not wind, caused the greatest damage from Lala. With Moke expected to drench southern and windward sections again, his administration said it would work to secure hotel rooms across the county to move vulnerable residents before flooding begins.

What officials are saying

Chris Brevender, a meteorologist with the NWS Honolulu office, urged residents at a Thursday briefing to take action now rather than wait for a last-minute shift in the track. “Normally, this far out in time, we would say pay attention to the forecast. But what we are seeing, more yesterday and today, [is] take action just in case,” he said.

Green emphasized that the state is still in active recovery mode — clearing debris, restoring power, and supporting displaced families — even as it prepares for a second round of heavy rain.

Safety guidance for residents and visitors

Officials across the state asked Hawaiʻi residents and weekend travelers to:

• Monitor CPHC and local NWS updates through Monday
• Avoid flooded roads — most flood deaths occur in vehicles
• Prepare go-bags and identify higher ground if you live in flood-prone or steep terrain
• Expect possible road closures, mudslides, and power disruptions on the Big Island
• Check county emergency-management pages for shelter or hotel-assistance information

Surf along exposed south-facing shores may also rise as Moke passes, though coastal watches were not posted as of Friday.

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Discussion

Hawaiʻi is facing back-to-back tropical systems in a single August — a reminder that recovery and preparation often overlap.

1. If you live in a flood-prone area, how do you decide when to leave before water rises?

What signals — official alerts, neighborhood experience, road closures — would make you evacuate early rather than wait?

2. After Lala’s mudslides and cemetery damage, what should long-term rebuilding prioritize on the Big Island?

Stronger drainage, relocation from steep slopes, or faster debris removal — where would you put limited recovery dollars first?

Share how your community prepares for repeat storms, and what you would want officials to communicate before the rain starts.

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This article is news and general safety information, not official emergency guidance. Follow instructions from local authorities and the National Weather Service.