![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.bigislandnow.com\/file\/bigislandnow\/2026\/08\/USE-rainfall-2.jpg\")
<\/a>Courtesy Graphic: National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center website<\/p>\nThe strongest winds will blow tonight through Sunday night from 25 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 55 mph. There is even a chance gusts could approach high wind warning criteria of 58 mph or stronger in the normally windiest spots in leeward Kohala and near South Point.<\/p>\n
Areas of concern include Ka\u02bb\u016b, lower Puna, H\u0101m\u0101kua Coast and Kohala.<\/p>\n
A flood watch is in effect from midnight Sunday through Monday for the island, plus a wind advisory went into effect at noon today for mainly leeward locations in the north, south and southeast areas of the island.<\/p>\n
Windward Maui is forecast to see 2 to 4 inches of rain with locally higher amounts. The rest of the state is still expected to receive about 1 to 2 inches of rain, with some amounts higher in localized areas.<\/p>\n
Confidence in the heavy rainfall potential and flooding is highest for the Big Island.<\/p>\n
Moke was about 360 miles south-southeast of Hilo as of the 5 p.m. update, moving west at 14 mph. No tropical storm watches or warnings are expected because of the compactness of the storm and how far winds from the storm itself will stay south of the islands.<\/p>\n
That general motion is expected during the next several days, with the storm\u2019s center expected to pass south of the Big Island on Sunday and then well-south of the the smaller main Hawaiian Islands early next week.<\/p>\n
Tropical storm force winds extended about 115 miles outward from Moke\u2019s center.<\/p>\n
More from the forecast<\/p>\n
Persistent deep convection that was previously located over and north of the storm\u2019s circulation overnight Friday and through the morning hours Saturday largely collapsed, with Moke\u2019s cloud tops warming noticeably.<\/p>\n
The deterioration appears to be, at least in part, because of ongoing southwesterly vertical wind shear and dry mid-level air.<\/p>\n
A low- to mid-level ridge strengthening to the north of Moke will continue steerings it in that continued west-northwest direction, eventually moving into an increasingly drier and stable environment that will lead to the storm\u2019s gradual weakening trend.<\/p>\n
Moke could degenerate into a remnant low by Wednesday.<\/p>\n The next complete advisory for Tropical Storm Moke will be issued at 11 p.m. today by Central Pacific Hurricane Center.<\/p>\n Updates from Hawai\u2018i County<\/p>\n \u201cOur county crews remain ready to respond, and we ask our residents to remain vigilant and be prepared for heavy rainfall and gusty winds as Tropical Storm Moke passes us to the south,\u201d said Hawai\u2018i County Mayor Kimo Alameda in a noon Saturday update from the county. \u201cThe ground remains saturated, so be aware it may not take much rain to cause more flooding.\u201d<\/p>\n Alameda acknowledged Big Island residents are fatigued and still recovering from Hurricane Lala, and he thanked everyone for doing their part to keep themselves and their neighbors safe.<\/p>\n All preparations should be completed essentially now.<\/p>\n Power and communication outages should be anticipated, as well as hazardous road conditions.<\/p>\n Those in flood prone areas, especially those impacted by Hurricane Lala, are advised to prepare for possible additional flooding impacts and consider evacuating the area before storm conditions begin.<\/p>\n Shelters will be open as of 8 p.m. Saturday, with those at N\u0101\u02bb\u0101lehu Elementary School gym and Robert N. Herkes Gym in P\u0101hala already open and operating with generator power.<\/p>\n Shelter locations:<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Hot showers are available at Robert N. Herkes Gym. Bring your own towels and hygiene products.<\/p>\n Bus service<\/strong><\/p>\n The following Hele-On bus routes are canceled Sunday:<\/p>\n All other fixed route services and trip times are scheduled to operate as regularly scheduled; however, because of the unknown effects of weather conditions, transportation delays, re-routing and cancellations could occur at a moment\u2019s notice.<\/p>\n The Hilo park and ride spot on Kamehameha Avenue will be moved to the Kuawa Park parking lot if Kamehameha Avenue floods.<\/p>\n Sandbags<\/strong><\/p>\n Sandbags can be requested by contacting Hawai\u02bbi County Civil Defense at 808-935-0031. Sandpile locations can be found online<\/a>. Bring your own sandbags.<\/p>\n Hawai\u02bbi County Department of Public Works completed clearing the N\u0101\u02bb\u0101lehu flood channel Friday as part of preparations for Tropical Storm Moke.<\/p>\n Highway 11 will be open to area residents only between the entrance of Hawai\u02bbi Volcanoes National Park and Ka\u02bb\u016b in the event the next lava fountaining episode of the ongoing episodic K\u012blauea summit eruption happens during the storm.<\/p>\n Access to P\u0101hala and Wai\u02bb\u014dhinu\/N\u0101\u02bb\u0101lehu via Highway 11 remains limited to local\/disaster response only.<\/p>\n General safety information<\/strong><\/p>\n Monitor local radio broadcasts for additional updates and official advisories in your area.<\/p>\n Contact Civil Defense at 808-935-0031 or visit the Civil Defense website<\/a> for additional information or with any questions. The site also includes tropical cyclone resources.<\/p>\n Be sure to check the Hawai\u2018i County Hazard Impact Map<\/a> for information about impacts and hazards from the storm.<\/p>\n Hawaiian Electric<\/p>\n Hawaiian Electric urges customers to review their emergency plans, ensure they have supplies on hand and to closely monitor weather updates.<\/p>\n Preparation and safety tips are available on the Hawaiian Electric website<\/a>, and detailed tips also can be found in the utility\u2019s Handbook for Emergency Preparedness<\/a>.<\/p>\n Click here<\/a> or download the utility\u2019s mobile app<\/a> for the latest outage information and estimated time of restoration.<\/p>\n Hawaiian Electric resources for updates and more information:<\/strong><\/p>\n Hawai\u2018i Department of Transportation preparations<\/p>\n Crews on all islands Friday prepared facilities and worked to remove vegetation from streams and saturated hillsides in preparation for heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Moke.<\/p>\n Debris washed into streams by Lala and all previous storms also was removed at mileposts 50, 51.5, 53.5, 54.5 and 56.5. All bridges along M\u0101malahoa Highway (Highway 11) in Ka\u2018\u016b impacted by Lala were inspected and found structurally sound and safe.<\/p>\n Crews reinspected drainage, trimmed trees to remove potential hazards, secured equipment, tied down or relocated aircraft and topped off emergency power generators at Hilo International and Ellison Onizuka Kona International airports.<\/p>\n More from the state<\/p>\n State agencies remain ready to respond to Tropical Storm Moke and support county emergency response efforts. State personnel and resources are on standby to address possible impacts.<\/p>\n \u201cState 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,\u201d said Hawai\u2019i Gov. Josh Green in a state release.<\/p>\n Hawai\u02bbi National Guard continues was preparing additional personnel and resources for Tropical Storm Moke, with 153 personnel positioned statewide. Task Force Hawai\u02bbi has 76 personnel supporting Hawai\u02bbi County, with five high-wheeled vehicle teams and three aviation crews ready.<\/p>\n Parks closed because of Hurricane Lala will remain closed through the weekend. Kekaha Kai, Wailuku River, \u02bbAkaka Falls and MacKenzie state parks remain open but are prepared to close Sunday. Keanakolu and Ainapo cabins and the Puna Trail are closed.<\/p>\n Refunds for canceled camping and lodging permits will be credited to permit holders who miss camping nights because of storm closures.<\/p>\n<\/a>National Weather Service satellite image from early evening Aug. 22, 2026.<\/p>\n\n
<\/a>Courtesy Graphic: National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center website<\/p>\n\n
\n
<\/a>Courtesy Graphic: National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center website<\/p>\n