Tropical Depression Moke unleashes heavy rain, dangerous winds as flash flood threat grows in Hawaii
A Flood Watch is in effect for the Big Island where over 10,000 Americans are still without power as heavy rain from Moke could unleash more dangerous flooding.
Pacific heats up with three tropical storms and three areas to watch
The Pacific is lighting up with active storms and areas to watch. Tropical Storm Moke is bringing heavy rainfall to Hawaii, while newly formed Tropical Storm Iselle marks the ninth named storm of the year. There are also two additional areas of tropical interest: Invest 91E and another area to watch.
HONOLULU — Just days after Hurricane Lala hammered the Hawaiian Islands, Tropical Depression Moke will make a close pass by the Big Island and unleash a dangerous triple threat of heavy rain, flooding and damaging winds.
Tropical Depression Moke formed Friday in the central Pacific, and has since slightly strengthened with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph and a minimum central pressure of 1004 millibars, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).
Tropical Storm Moke stats.(FOX Weather)
Formerly known as Tropical Depression Two-C, Tropical Depression Moke is located about 320 miles southeast of Hilo, Hawaii, moving west-northwest at 15 mph.
In their 11 a.m. advisory, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Tropical Storm Iselle has formed and is expected to bring dangerous life-threatening surf and rip currents to Baja California by Monday.
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Tropical Storm Iselle stats.(FOX Weather)
Iselle is currently located about 535 miles away from Baja California, moving west-northwest at 16 mph with 50 mph wind gusts. Tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 125 miles, according to the NHC.
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A Flood Watch is in effect for the Big Island as heavy rain from Moke threatens dangerous rainfall rates, coming right on the heels of Hurricane Lala.
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Image 1 of 5A resident carries supplies during Hurricane Lala in Hawaiian Ocean View, Hawaii, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. The storm strengthened into a hurricane as it approached Hawaii, with up to 25 inches of rain possible on the island of Hawaii, commonly known as the Big Island. (Photo by Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 2 of 5Major flooding in Waiohinu, Hawaii, from Hurricane Lala on Saturday, Aug. 15. (Hawaii Department of Transportation )
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Image 3 of 5A rural road floods in Volcano Village on Hawaii Island, on August 15, 2026. Hurricane Lala on Saturday lashed Hawaii's Big Island with heavy rain and strong winds, as forecasters warned of potentially dangerous flooding across the US Pacific island state. Lala strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane at around 9:00 am local time (1900 GMT), generating winds of up to 75 miles per hour (120 kilometers per hour). (Photo by Jill K. Briggs / AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![A young green sea turtle fills up on grass as ocean waters started to raise due to the approach of Tropical Storm Lala at Reed's Bay in Hilo, Hawaii on August 14, 2026.]()
Image 4 of 5A young green sea turtle fills up on grass as ocean waters started to raise due to the approach of Tropical Storm Lala at Reed's Bay in Hilo, Hawaii on August 14, 2026. (Jill K. Briggs / AFP )
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Image 5 of 5A resident stops on a rural road as it floods in Volcano Village on Hawaii Island, on August 15, 2026. Hurricane Lala on Saturday lashed Hawaii's Big Island with heavy rain and strong winds, as forecasters warned of potentially dangerous flooding across the US Pacific island state. Lala strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane at around 9:00 am local time (1900 GMT), generating winds of up to 75 miles per hour (120 kilometers per hour). (Photo by Jill K. Briggs / AFP via Getty Images) ( )
Since Moke is forecast to remain a compact storm, the NHC said no tropical storm watches or warnings are currently required based on its forecast track. However, that doesn’t mean Hawaii won’t see impacts from wind, heavy rain and dangerous surf.
Hawaii, which rarely sees tropical activity, will face its second tropical system in less than two weeks, with Tropical Depression Moke expected to dump another round of heavy rain on the Big Island, in particular, as well as other islands across the state.
(FOX Weather)
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Moke is expected to track south of the Big Island but still deliver 5 to 10 inches of rain, with localized pockets of up to 15 inches, the NHC said.
Maui is expected to see 1 to 2 inches of rain, with potentially up to 4 inches during the storm's closest pass.
Tropical Storm Moke cone.(FOX Weather)
According to the FOX Forecast Center, tropical downpours will create a flash flood threat, which could trigger mudslides in some steep areas of the islands.
A young green sea turtle fills up on grass as ocean waters started to raise due to the approach of Tropical Storm Lala at Reed's Bay in Hilo, Hawaii on August 14, 2026.
(Jill K. Briggs / AFP / Getty Images)
Wind gusts will likely peak in the 40 to 50 mph range on the southern tip of the Big Island and usual downslope-prone areas.
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While the gusts may reach tropical storm strength, the sustained winds will not.
Rain Forecast for Hawaii.
(FOX Weather)
Over 11,000 customers were still without electricity on the Big Island on Friday after Lala dumped over 3 feet of rain near Nāʻālehu on the southeastern tip of the Big Island.
Widespread flooding washed out roads and left Nāʻālehu cut off through early this week.
Destruction left behind by Hurricane Lala in Hawaii as cleanup efforts begin
HURRICANE AFTERMATH ‼️: FOX Weather Correspondent Katie Byrne reports from Honolulu, Hawaii, where early cleanup efforts are underway as downed trees, flooded roads and power outages plague the state. #Hawaii #Hurricane #FOXWeather
Moke could also cause life-threatening surf and rip currents.
Check back for updates on this developing story.