Tropical Storm Moke Triggers Flash Flood Warnings Across Hawaii County as Rainfall Exceeds 10 Inches

HILO, HI — The National Weather Service (NWS) and Hawaii County Civil Defense issued emergency flash flood warnings across Hawaii Island on Sunday morning as Tropical Storm Moke delivered continuous torrential downpours, with rainfall totals exceeding 12 inches in localized windward slopes.

Meteorological Impact and Storm Surge

Tropical Storm Moke, tracking approximately 80 miles south of South Point, produced sustained tropical-storm-force winds of 50 mph and high surf exceeding 15 feet along east- and south-facing coastlines. The torrential rainfall saturated soils already vulnerable following Hurricane Lala earlier this month, triggering multiple debris flows and localized landslides along the Hamakua Coast.

State Department of Transportation crews closed sections of Highway 19 and Highway 11 due to standing water, downed albizia trees, and boulder falls.

Emergency Response and Shelter Activations

Hawaii County Mayor and Civil Defense authorities activated four emergency shelters in Hilo, Pahoa, and Waimea to accommodate residents evacuated from low-lying coastal and flood-prone valley areas.

Utility crews from Hawaiian Electric responded to widespread power outages affecting over 12,000 customers in Puna and Kau, working between storm squalls to restore severed electrical feeders.

Forecast and Precautions

The storm system is projected to continue its westward track through Monday, with rain bands gradually shifting toward Maui County and Oahu. Civil defense officials urged residents to remain off roads and avoid swollen stream channels.