Tropical Storm Moke Triggers Flash Floods and Landslides Across Hawaii County as Rainfall Tops 12 Inches

HILO, HI — Hawaii County Civil Defense and the National Weather Service issued Flash Flood Emergencies for the windward slopes of Hawaii's Big Island on Sunday morning as Tropical Storm Moke delivered continuous torrential rainfall exceeding 12 inches in under 18 hours.

Storm Dynamics and Infrastructure Inundation

Moke, tracking slowly north-northwest approximately 90 miles east of Hilo, generated sustained 50-mph tropical storm winds and intense rainbands that overwhelmed mountain drainage gulches. Debris flows and mudslides forced the emergency closure of Highway 19 along the Hamakua Coast and submerged residential roadways in lower Puna and Mountain View.

Hawaii County public works crews deployed heavy excavators to clear drainage culverts and reinforce compromised bridge approaches.

Public Shelters and Emergency Response

Hawaii County Mayor Mitch Roth declared a local emergency and opened emergency public storm shelters at the Butler Building in Hilo and Keaau High School, accommodating dozens of residents displaced by rising floodwaters.

Hawaiian Electric crews worked to restore electrical service to approximately 4,200 customers after fallen albizia trees damaged overhead distribution lines.

Meteorological Forecast

The Central Pacific Hurricane Center expects Tropical Storm Moke to begin gradual weakening by Monday evening as it encounters increasing wind shear north of the Hawaiian archipelago.