Tropical Storm Moke is bringing additional heavy rainfall to Hawaii with some areas expected to get up to 15 inches of rain as the storm is projected to hit areas recently damaged by Tropical Storm and Hurricane Lala, according to the National Weather Service.
“Heavy rainfall associated with Tropical Storm Moke will begin to impact the Big Island of Hawaii today,” the National Weather Service stated on Sunday. “Rain will then spread westward across the remainder of the Hawaiian Islands through Monday. This rainfall may produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides for the windward and southeast Big Island, especially in steep terrain and over areas that were affected recently by Lala.”
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green on Saturday asked the White House to issue a presidential emergency declaration following Hurricane Lala as Tropical Storm Moke was approaching the state.
Green signed the request covering Hawaii County, Maui County, and the City and County of Honolulu. The state is seeking federal assistance to protect public health and safety and maintain essential services.
Hurricane Lala hit the islands on Aug. 15–16, according to the National Weather Service.
“Hurricane Lala caused severe damage across our state and placed an extraordinary strain on communities already recovering from previous disasters,” Green said.
Lala dumped between 20 to 40 inches of rain in some areas, causing severe flooding, landslides, and runoff, according to the governor’s office. Initial reports indicate hundreds of homes were damaged or destroyed and roads and bridges were damaged or washed out.
Approximately 200,000 customers across Hawaii Island, Maui, and Oahu lost power at the height of the storm. When the federal request was submitted, about 11,290 customers on Hawaii Island remained without electricity. Restoration in some areas could take until Sept. 8.
The rural Kaʻū District was among the hardest-hit areas. Flooding damaged Hawaii Belt Road, while prolonged power and communications outages disrupted water systems, medical access, and emergency operations.
A slope failure at Nāʻālehu Cemetery also disinterred human remains.
The state is requesting federal emergency generators, technical and logistical assistance, and specialized mortuary personnel. It is also seeking federal help establishing temporary microgrids or other power systems while electrical service is restored.
State officials said the approaching Tropical Storm Moke is placing additional demands on personnel and resources as recovery from Lala continues.
Hawaii is also still dealing with recovery work from a magnitude 6.0 earthquake that hit the Kona region in May.
The central Pacific hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through Nov. 30, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The peak months of the season are July through September.