United States Severe Weather Triggers Flash Flood and Thunderstorm Warnings in Four States
United States severe weather remains active on Saturday evening with multiple National Weather Service alerts in place across the mainland while Tropical Storm Moke moves toward Hawaii. Multiple severe thunderstorm warnings and a flash flood warning remain in effect across parts of the United States on Saturday evening as Tropical Storm Moke approaches Hawaii with heavy rain and strong winds.
Active Severe Weather Warnings Across the Mainland United States
A Flash Flood Warning is in effect for Berkeley County, South Carolina, after 1-2 inches of rain caused flooding in downtown Charleston with some roads closed; additional showers possible through 9:30 PM EDT. [1] A Severe Thunderstorm Warning covers Lonoke County, Arkansas, with a storm producing 60 mph winds and quarter-size hail moving southeast at 25 mph, threatening hail damage to vehicles and wind damage to roofs, siding and trees. [2] Severe Thunderstorm Warnings are also active for parts of Box Elder and Tooele counties in northern Utah with 60 mph winds and quarter-size hail, and for Alcorn County, Mississippi, with 60 mph winds threatening damage to roofs, siding and trees. [4] [5] These alerts illustrate the breadth of United States severe weather impacts on Saturday evening, with radar-indicated hazards prompting immediate precautions in each affected county.
Flash Flooding Reported in Charleston Area
A Flash Flood Warning is in effect for Berkeley County, South Carolina, after 1-2 inches of rain caused flooding in downtown Charleston with some roads closed; additional showers possible through 9:30 PM EDT. [1] At 7:46 PM EDT, Doppler radar showed the first batch of showers and thunderstorms had moved out of the Downtown Charleston area, dropping between 1 and 2 inches of rain across the peninsula and resulting in some flash flooding. [1] City officials reported some roads flooded and closed as a direct result. [1] Additional showers and thunderstorms could move into the warning area through 9:30 PM, possibly resulting in more flash flooding. [1] The hazard remains flash flooding caused by thunderstorms, according to law enforcement reports cited in the alert. [1]
Severe Thunderstorms Threatening Arkansas, Utah and Mississippi
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning covers Lonoke County, Arkansas, with a storm producing 60 mph winds and quarter-size hail moving southeast at 25 mph, threatening hail damage to vehicles and wind damage to roofs, siding and trees. [2] At 6:46 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over England, or 16 miles south of Lonoke, moving southeast at 25 mph, with hazards of 60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail confirmed by radar. [2] Locations impacted include England, Keo, Plum Bayou Mounds SP, Coy, Toltec, Blakemore and Seaton. [2] Severe Thunderstorm Warnings are also active for parts of Box Elder and Tooele counties in northern Utah with 60 mph winds and quarter-size hail. [4] At 5:44 PM MDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from 7 miles southeast of Utah Test and Training Range North to 6 miles northeast of Clive, moving northeast at 20 mph, until 6:30 PM MDT. [4] A Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Alcorn County, Mississippi, includes 60 mph winds threatening damage to roofs, siding and trees. [5] At 6:45 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Pocahontas, or 9 miles west of Big Hill Pond State Park, moving southeast at 25 mph, with radar-indicated 60 mph wind gusts and expected damage to roofs, siding and trees. [5] Locations impacted include Corinth, Booneville, Selmer, Pickwick Landing State Park, Big Hill Pond State Park, Burnsville, Jumpertown, Glen, Pickwick Dam, Thrashers, Theo, Canaan, Pocahontas, Pineflat, Hinkle, Leedy, Farmington, Walnut and Middleton. [5]
Tropical Storm Moke Nears Hawaii Island
Tropical Storm Moke is located 425 miles south of Hilo, Hawaii, moving west-northwest at 12 mph with 50 mph sustained winds and is forecast to bring 5-10 inches of rain to the southeast and windward sides of Hawaii Island, with isolated amounts up to 15 inches. [3] As of 11am Hawaii Standard Time, Moke was located about 425 miles south of Hilo, moving west-northwest at 12 mph with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph. [3] The storm is expected to pass south of Hawaii Island overnight and into the following morning. [3] The National Hurricane Center projects that Moke will bring roughly 5 to 10 inches of rainfall over the next two days on the southeast and windward sides of the Big Island, with some isolated areas seeing as much as 15 inches. [3] Eastern Maui is likely to receive 3 to 6 inches, with smaller amounts expected across the rest of the island chain. [3]
Hawaii Still Recovering from Prior Storm Lala
Hawaii Island is still recovering from Hurricane Lala, which caused one death, major flooding, and power outages affecting 130,000 customers last week. [3] At least one person died in last weekend’s storm. [3] Lala came close enough to Hawaii Island to dump more than 39 inches of rain in some locations, causing rivers to burst their banks. [3] High winds also bent tall palm trees and downed electrical lines, forcing nearly 130,000 utility customers to lose power. [3] Power is expected to be fully restored by September 8, though some remote areas were still experiencing outages. [3]
Preparation and Outlook for Hawaii
Hawaii Governor Josh Green and other state officials have urged people to prepare for Moke by restocking food, medicine and other daily essentials ahead of the storm’s passage. [3] “It could certainly have a big impact because we’ve already been hit hard,” Green said in a video statement. [3] “We’re pre-positioning all kinds of additional equipment and people. I’ve also authorised 100 rooms, hotel rooms, for people to go to, in case they don’t have enough services or protection, safety.” [3] Governor Green warned that the heavy rain is unlikely to end with Moke. “Everyone be very careful,” he said. “This storm will be followed by another storm front about a week later, and we continue to see the impacts of these major weather fronts that have hit Hawaii.” [3] Casey Oswant, a meteorologist with the Honolulu office of the US National Weather Service, noted that impacts would be limited compared with Lala but would still affect the windward and southeast sides of the Big Island. [3]
What to watch next: After passing Hawaii Island during the night, Moke is projected to continue on a westward path near the islands through early Tuesday, with the possibility of another storm front about a week later.
