Tropical Storm Moke bears down on Hawaii days after Hurricane Lala

Tropical Storm Moke is approaching Hawaii's Big Island from the south, bringing a second round of heavy rain and wind within days of Hurricane Lala, which caused at least $43 million in infrastructure damage and $4.6 million in damage to homes.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu forecasts 5 to 10 inches of rain on the south-east and windward sides of the Big Island through early Tuesday, with isolated areas potentially receiving 15 inches. Parts of east Maui could see up to 4 inches. The NWS warns that ground already saturated by Lala raises the risk of life-threatening flooding and mudslides on steep terrain.

Hawaii Governor Josh Green held a news conference urging residents to restock food, medicine and essentials before the storm's arrival. No coastal watches or warnings were in effect as of Saturday morning, though the National Hurricane Center flagged dangerous rip currents as an additional hazard.

NWS meteorologist Casey Oswant said Moke's track passes south of a direct hit, which should limit the overall impact compared to Lala, though windward and south-east exposures on the Big Island will bear the worst of it through Tuesday.

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James Harrington

Senior Risk Analyst

Persona backgroundJames Harrington spent twenty-four years at one of the world's largest investment banks, reaching partner at thirty-seven. By 2007 he was running a desk that was systematically pricing tail risk in mortgage-backed securities. He was right for eighteen months before the crisis arrived.