Updated 5:40 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 23.
This morning, Tropical Storm Moke is passing the Big Island well south of land, but it is bringing heavy rain and gusty winds, along with potential flooding.
As of 5 a.m. Sunday, Moke’s center was 310 miles south of Hilo and moving west at 15 mph and with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles from the center, according to the National Hurricane Center advisory.
Unlike Hurricane Lala that struck a week ago, Moke’s outerbands will not reach the Big Island.
But it is forecast to pass close enough to produce gusty enhanced trade winds caused by a tight pressure gradient that will impact higher elevations and locations downslope. The Big Island currently is under a wind advisory, especially in areas of high terrain.
The island also is under a flood watch until Monday, with the storm expected to produce rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches with maximum amounts of 15 inches. It could cause life-threatening flooding and even mudslides for windward and southeast areas of the island, especially locations with steep terrain and already saturated soil for Lala, including Nāʻālehu, Pāhala and Waiʻōhinu.
Courtesy Graphic: National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center website
Moke’s general west motion is expected to continue during the next several days. The center of the storm is expected to pass south of the Big Island of Hawaii on Sunday, then well south of the smaller main Hawaiian Islands early next week. Moke is forecast to lose some strength during the next few days and could become a post-tropical cyclone by midweek.
The next complete advisory/update from the Central Pacific Hurricane Center is scheduled for 11 a.m. Sunday.
Hawaiʻi County advises the public that power and communication outages should be anticipated, as well as hazardous road conditions.
Those in flood prone areas, especially those impacted by Hurricane Lala, should be prepared for possible additional flooding impacts.
Shelters opened Saturday night at the following locations:
Nāʻālehu Elementary School gym, 95-5545 Māmalahoa Highway, Nāʻālehu.
Robert N. Herkes Gym, 96-1219 Kamani St., Pāhala.
Pāhoa Senior Center, 15-3016 Kauhale St., Pāhoa.
Keaʻau Armory, 16-512 Volcano Road, Keaʻau.
Puʻuʻeo Community Center, 145 Wainaku St., Hilo.
Sgt. Rodney J.T. Yano Memorial Hall, 82-6156 Māmalahoa Highway, Captain Cook.
Nāʻālehu Elementary School gym and Robert N. Herkes Gym in Pāhala already were open before Saturday night and are operating with generator power.
Anyone who comes to a shelter should bring their own supplies, including food, water, sleeping bags and any necessary medicine. Shelters are pet friendly; however, pets must be kept in a carrier.
Hot showers are available at Robert N. Herkes Gym. Bring your own towels and hygiene products.
The following Hele-On bus routes are canceled today:
Routes 2, 10, 12 and 90.
Route 75 at 6:15 a.m. (southbound to Kona)
Route 75 at 3:03 p.m. (northbound to Kapaʻau).
All other fixed routes should operate as regularly scheduled; however, delays, re-routing and cancellations could occur at a moment’s notice.
The Hilo park and ride spot on Kamehameha Avenue will be moved to the Kuawa Park parking lot if Kamehameha Avenue floods.
Monitor local radio broadcasts for additional updates and official advisories in your area.
Contact Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense at 808-935-0031 or visit the Civil Defense website for additional information or with any questions. The site also includes several tropical cyclone resources.
Be sure to also check the Hawai‘i County Hazard Impact Map for information about impacts and hazards from Moke.
Access to Pāhala and Waiʻōhinu/Nāʻālehu via Highway 11 remains limited only to local/disaster response.
“State and county teams are ready to respond and I urge everyone to remain alert, follow official updates and avoid unnecessary risks as the storm passes,” said Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green on Saturday in a state release.
State parks still closed because of Hurricane Lala will remain closed through the weekend.
Kekaha Kai, Wailuku River, ʻAkaka Falls and MacKenzie state parks remain open but are prepared to close today. Keanakolu and Ainapo cabins and the Puna Trail are closed.
Storm-related closures and status of state-managed lands are available at the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources website.
Small boat harbors and their restrooms remain open. Vessel groundings should be immediately reported to the state Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation.
State health officials continue to monitor health and medical operations statewide.
Air medical and ground EMS services are operating normally statewide. Hospitals are operating at normal capacity. The Medical Operations Coordination Center continues to monitor 9-1-1, EMS, air medical services, hospitals and Healthcare Emergency Management Coalition.
Screenshot from Map Website
Other state departments as well as University of Hawaiʻi continue closely watching Moke and standing by if their resources are necessary, any closures are issued and if their response is needed for any potential impacts.
The fall semester at all 10 university and community college campuses throughout the state begins Monday.
Check the National Weather Service Honolulu forecast office website for your specific community/area forecast and to stay updated about any other advisories, watches or warnings are issued.