Tropical Storm Moke

HEAVY RAINFALL AND GUSTY WINDS EXPECTED TO BEGIN TONIGHT ON THE BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII

WATCHES AND WARNINGS

There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.
Interests in the Hawaiian Islands should closely monitor the progress of this system.

DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK

At 1100 AM HST, the center of Tropical Storm Moke was located near latitude 14.9 North, longitude 151.1 West. Moke is moving toward the west-northwest near 12 mph and this general motion is expected during the next several days. On the forecast track, the center of the storm is expected to pass south of the Big Island of Hawaii on Sunday, then well south of the smaller main Hawaiian Islands early next week.

Maximum sustained winds remain near 50 mph (85 km/h) with higher gusts. Little change in strength is expected today, but gradual weakening is forecast to begin on Sunday.

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND

WIND: Gusty winds are expected across the Hawaiian Islands late tonight and Sunday, especially in areas of high terrain.

RAINFALL: Moke is expected to produce rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches with maximum amounts of 15 inches across the Big Island. Rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches of rain are expected on eastern Maui. These rainfall amounts may produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides for the windward and southeast Big Island, especially in steep terrain and over areas that were affected recently by Lala.

Across western Maui and the remainder of the islands, moisture draw northward from Tropical Storm Moke may bring up to 1 or 2 inches of rain.

SURF: Swells generated by the storm are expected to affect exposed east and south facing shores of the Hawaiian Islands during the next few days.

last updated 1100 AM HST Sat Aug 22 2026

The County of Hawaiʻi is opening shelters ahead of Tropical Storm Moke, which will bring heavy rainfall that can cause flash flooding starting tonight.

Residents who live in areas prone to flooding or that are unsafe should relocate to a shelter or other safe location before storm conditions begin.

In the event that Kīlauea erupts during the storm, Highway 11 will be open to area residents only between the entrance of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and Kaʻū.

Access to Pāhala and Waiʻōhinu/Nāʻālehu via Highway 11 remains limited to local/disaster response only.

Shelters

All shelters will be open at 8 p.m. today (Saturday). Shelters at Nāʻālehu Elementary School gym and Robert N. Herkes Gym in Pāhala are operating with generator power and are currently open.

Bring your own supplies, including food, water, sleeping bags, and any necessary medicine. Shelters are pet friendly. Pets must be kept in a carrier. Hot showers are available at Robert N. Herkes Gym. Bring your own towels and hygiene products.

Shelter locations:

Nāʻālehu Elementary School gym, 95-5545 Mamalahoa Highway, Nāʻālehu.
Robert N. Herkes Gym, 96-1219 Kamani St., Pāhala.
Pāhoa Senior Center, 15-3016 Kauhale St., Pāhoa
Keaʻau Armory, 16-512 Volcano Road, Keaʻau.
Puʻuʻeo Community Center, 145 Wainaku St., Hilo.
Sgt. Rodney J.T. Yano Memorial Hall, 82-6156 Mamalahoa Highway, Captain Cook.

Bus Service

The following bus routes will be cancelled on Sunday:

Routes 2, 10, 12 and 90.
Route 75 @ 6:15 a.m. (southbound to Kona)
Route 75 @ 3:03 p.m. (northbound to Kapaʻau).

Should Kamehameha Avenue flooding occur, the Hilo Park & Ride will be moved to the Kuawa Park parking lot.

All other fixed route services and trip times are scheduled to operate as regularly scheduled; however, due to the unknown effects of weather conditions, transportation delays, re-routing, and cancellations may occur at a moment’s notice.

Sandbags

Sandbags can be requested by contacting the Department of Public Works at [email protected] or 808-961-8349. For after-hours requests, contact Civil Defense at 808-935-0031. Sandpile locations can be found here. Bring your own sandbags.

General Safety Information

Complete your storm preparations, have a shelter plan, and avoid unnecessary travel by staying off roadways during storm impacts.
Know the areas that are prone to flooding, especially near your home, and use extra caution around them. Heavy rain uphill from your location can cause flooding, even if it’s not raining where you are.
Never try to cross moving water, on foot or in a vehicle: “Turn around, don’t drown.”
Monitor local forecasts from reliable sources for the latest information about the storm and its potential hazards.
Have a “go bag” ready in case you must evacuate the area, especially if your home is in an area prone to flooding. It should include food, water, necessary medication, important documents, and other necessities for the members of your household (including pets) if you need to leave in a hurry.
Check the area around your home. Trim tree limbs and secure awnings, umbrellas and other objects that could become airborne and damage your roof or windows. Remove debris that may block drainage and increase the chance of flooding.
Check in with neighbors, especially those who may have mobility problems, to make sure they have a safe way to evacuate if flooding strikes.

Stay Informed

The County will provide updates as conditions evolve. Residents and visitors can receive emergency notifications by signing up for Civil Defense alerts at their website. Sign up for Civil Defense emergency alerts at bit.ly/HCCDAlerts.

View the County Hazard Impact Map here.

Last updated 8/22/26

MEMA has been coordinating with other County departments, as well as state and nongovernment partners, to prepare for potential storm impacts. Other County preparations include the following:

MEMA has been working with American Red Cross and other partners to identify shelters that can be opened in potentially vulnerable areas should storm impacts warrant evacuation.
Maui Police Department is increasing staffing for all districts to prepare for the storm; all stations tested generators to ensure they are operable. The public should be advised of the following:
Anticipate longer response times for nonemergency/non-in progress calls — public safety will be prioritized during the storm.
If there is a situation where emergency evacuation is needed, call 911.
Crimes committed during an emergency proclamation have enhanced penalties.
If traffic signals go out or malfunction, treat intersections like a four-way-stop.
Along with responding to road and drainage impacts from Tropical Storm Lala, Department of Public Works crews have been preparing for the incoming system by ensuring all storm-response equipment is fueled and ready to go, inspecting and cleaning drainage and flood control infrastructure and prepositioned traffic control devices and equipment for deployment if needed throughout Maui County, including Lahaina, Wailuku, Makawao, Hāna, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi.
Department of Water Supply (DWS) is repairing water infrastructure damaged last weekend by Tropical Storm Lala while prepping all system infrastructure sites that could potentially be affected by the approaching storm. DWS and Department of Environmental Management are checking and topping off fuel in all permanent and portable generators. All vehicles are being refueled daily in anticipation of the storm. Standby crews have been set up for response.

Residents are encouraged to:

Review or update a family emergency plan.
Assemble or replenish emergency supplies, including enough food, water, medications and essential items to last at least 14 days.
Prepare an emergency go bag with essential items to take if evacuation becomes necessary.
Secure important documents and know your evacuation zone if you live in a coastal or flood-prone area.
Prepare your home by securing outdoor items, protecting windows if needed, and ensuring it is ready to withstand possible extended power outages.
Sign up for MEMA Alerts and Genasys evacuation notifications by visiting https://mauicounty.gov/MEMA.

For the latest information, visit NWS in Honolulu at https://www.weather.gov/hfo/ and subscribe to Genasys and MEMA alerts at https://mauicounty.gov/MEMA.

last update 8/21/26

Refuge Areas

No refuge areas are open at this time. Should conditions change and refuge areas be activated for this event, KEMA will issue news releases, update the County website and its Refuge Area Status Page, and, as appropriate, send notifications through the County’s Everbridge emergency notification system.

The public is reminded that refuge areas are evacuation options of last resort. In many cases, sheltering in place may be a good option, particularly if the home or structure is sound or hardened and located outside hazardous flood and storm-surge areas. KEMA released an updated Potential Refuge Area List in May, available online at www.kauai.gov/KEMA, which identifies facilities that may be considered for use during emergencies. Not every facility on the list will be opened during every emergency, and additional public or private facilities may also be activated depending on incident and operational needs.

Preparedness

County officials encourage the public to check and replenish their emergency disaster kits. Emergency disaster kits should include at least a 14-day supply of non-perishable food, one gallon of water per person per day, a battery-powered radio, a flashlight, an extra supply of prescription medicines, and other items tailored to individual and family needs. A smaller, portable go-kit is also recommended should you need to evacuate. County, state, and federal officials will continue to monitor the situation and actively coordinate in preparation for this potential event.

The public is advised to check conditions before venturing out for hiking, river, or beach excursions. River and stream crossings, recreational trails, and other outdoor recreation areas may quickly become hazardous. During severe weather, emergency rescues may not be possible. Do not cross swollen rivers or streams; always check with a lifeguard at any lifeguard station before entering the ocean. Know before you go.

Standard tips to prepare for power outages from Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative include:

Use surge protectors to protect your appliances and equipment
Turn off and unplug all unnecessary appliances or equipment
Keep a portable battery-powered radio and flashlights with extra batteries
Stay away from downed lines and report to 9-1-1
Contact KIUC at 808-246-4300 to update your contact information & receive alerts

Other important numbers and resources

To stay updated, tune in to local media broadcast channels for the most current information. The following resources are available for emergency preparedness:

Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency – kauai.gov/KEMA
National Weather Service – weather.gov/hfo, or automated weather line at 808-245-6001
Kauaʻi Department of Water – 808-245-5400 and kauaiwater.org
Road and closure conditions – 808-241-1725

Officials remind the public to use 9-1-1 only for life-threatening or time-critical emergencies. Calls to 9-1-1 for weather updates or general road conditions can significantly delay emergency response. To report non-emergency road hazards, contact KPD Dispatch (non-emergency) at 808-241-1711.

For up-to-date information about Kauaʻi ocean conditions and safety, please speak to a county lifeguard, visit safebeachday.com, or call the Ocean Safety Bureau at 808-241-4984.

To sign up for Everbridge, the County’s emergency notification service, please visit www.kauai.gov/KEMA and click “Notification Services.” You may also text “KAUAIEMA” to 888777, or call the Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency at 808-241-1800.

Last updated 8/22/26

Central Pacific Hurricane Center

See the latest advisories, forecasts, maps and graphics about Tropical Depression Two-C. Updates made at 5am, 11am, 5pm and 11pm.

National Weather Service Honolulu

See the latest watches, warning, advisories, radar and satalites for the Hawaiian Islands

Emergency Alert Signup and County Resources

Hawaiʻi County – Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency

Emergency alert: signup
Website: Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency
Telephone: (808) 935-0031

Facebook: @hawaiicountycivildefense
Instagram: @hawaiicountycivildefense
X: @CivilDefenseHI

Maui County – Maui Emergency Management Agency

Emergency alert: signup
Evacuation signup: Know Your Zone
Website: Maui Emergency Management Agency
Telephone: (808) 270-7285

Facebook: @MauiEMA
Instagram: @maui_ema
X: @CoMaui_MEMA

Honolulu County – Oʻahu Department of Emergency Management

Emergency alerts: signup
Website: Department of Emergency Management
Telephone: (808) 723-8960

Facebook: @OahuDEM
Instagram: @oahudem
X: @Oahu_DEM

Kauaʻi County – Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency

Emergency alerts: signup
Website: Kauai Emergency Management Agency
Telephone: (808) 241-1800

Facebook: @CountyofKauai
Instagram: @mayor_derek_kawakami

Hawaiʻi County

Hilo

94.7 FM (KWXX)

97.9 FM (KKBG)

Kona

101.5 FM (KWXX – KAOY)

106.1 FM (KLEO)

NOAA Weather Radio:

162.500 (WZ2540 – North Kohala)

162.550 (WWG27 – South Point)

162.550 (WWG76 – Kulani)

Maui County

102.5 FM – 900 AM (KMVI)

96.7 FM – 1110 AM (KAOI)

NOAA Weather Radio:

162.400 (WWG75 – Mt. Haleakalā)

County of Honolulu (Oʻahu)

92.3 FM – 590 AM (KSSK)

96.3 FM (KRTR)

1210 AM (KZOO) (Japanese)

104.7 FM (KNDI) (Multi-Cultural Radio)

NOAA Weather Radio:

162.450 (WWF39 – Hawaiʻi Kai)

162.550 (KBA99 – Mt. Kaʻala)

Kauaʻi County

93.5 FM (KQNG)

91.9 FM (KKCR)

NOAA Weather Radio:

162.400 (WWG74 – Kōkeʻe)

162.450 (WZ2557 – Līhuʻe)

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