Tropical Storm Moke forms in the Pacific, set to impact storm-weary Hawaii

By Meteorologists Tyler Ory, Mary Gilbert, and CNN’s Kate S. Petersen

(CNN) — Hawaii is eyeing a new tropical threat less than a week after deadly Hurricane Lala tore through parts of the islands.

Tropical Storm Moke formed Friday afternoon about 650 miles southeast of the eastern coast of the Big Island, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Moke is forecast to maintain its intensity as a tropical storm and take a similar track as Lala toward Hawaii.

But the new storm will likely be weaker than Lala and track further south when it makes its closest pass on Sunday, somewhat dampening its wind threat, but not its rain.

Lala’s eyewall brushed the southern coast of the Big Island while its center was roughly 30 miles offshore. The latest forecast brings this new storm’s center 180 miles south of the Big Island as a tropical storm.

The exact distance could fluctuate in the coming days as the system becomes better organized. Weather forecast models are still trying to get a grip on the system’s strength, which is a key factor in its final track.

A stronger storm would track farther north, closer to the islands, while a weaker one would stay farther offshore. Confidence in the storm’s track and intensity should improve soon.

On Thursday, Hawaii’s Volcanoes National Park announced it will close at 5 p.m. Friday in advance of the storm. The park still doesn’t have power, internet or phone lines after Lala swept by last week, and many of its employees are still recovering from the storm.

While this storm isn’t expected to come as close to the Big Island, its rainfall could be just as dangerous — and fall on the same places flooded last weekend. This means it will take far less rainfall to trigger “life-threatening flooding and mudslides,” the hurricane center warned.

Five to 10 inches of rain are expected on the Big Island, with up to 15 inches possible on the central and eastern slopes. Confidence is lower for Maui and the other islands, but generally lower totals of 1 to 4 inches are expected, with isolated amounts up to 5 inches possible.

Rainfall will begin on the Big Island by late Saturday night or early Sunday, local time, spreading to the other islands later Sunday night into Monday.

Hawaii still reeling from Lala

Hawaii is still deep in recovery after Lala dumped over 3 and a half feet of rain on the Big Island’s mountains, setting off devastating landslides and flash floods.

A 93-year old woman died due to “storm-related injuries” on the Big Island last week, according to the Hawaii Police Department. Police are also investigating the death of a 60 year old man they believe may have been storm-related.

Mud, water, rock and debris destroyed large parts of Naʻalehu, in the southern part of the Big Island, smothering some houses in mud up to 10 feet deep, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said in a news conference Thursday. Last week, Green said more than 100 homes were lost to Lala on the Big Island.

Crews are still clearing downed trees and utility poles across the Big Island with thousands still without power, and roads washed away in floodwaters are just starting to be rebuilt.

A team is also working to locate and secure human remains swept away from inundated cemeteries before the next storm hits, Major Gen. Stephen Logan, Adjutant General of the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Defense, said in Thursday’s news conference. The team had recovered over 60 remains Thursday, he said.

The state is making plans to deal with more flooding, landslides and power outages by preparing supplies and hotel rooms for those who may be impacted by the storm, and monitoring water levels in the Wahiawa Dam, which rose more than 20 feet after Lala.

Officials are urging residents in vulnerable areas to prepare now, as evacuation might be harder once the storm hits.

“If you can leave a flood-prone area early, stay with friends or family, think about that now,” National Weather Service meteorologist John Bravender said. “So you can get ready for that before the rain starts this weekend.”

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