Tropical storm threatens Hawaii less than a week after hurricane strike

Hawaii is bracing for another major weather threat less than a week after a hurricane battered the islands. With power and communications still not fully restored, forecasts of up to 15 inches of rain are fueling fears of additional damage.

Tropical Storm Moke formed about 650 miles (1,046 kilometers) southeast of the Big Island and is moving toward Hawaii, CNN reported Friday local time.

A tropical storm is weaker than a hurricane but still brings sustained winds of at least 39 miles per hour (63 kilometers per hour).

Moke is expected to approach Hawaii on Sunday. The Big Island could receive 5 to 10 inches (127 to 254 millimeters) of rain, with some areas in the central and eastern parts of the island seeing up to 15 inches. Other islands, including Maui, are forecast to receive 1 to 4 inches.

Hawaii suffered significant damage when Hurricane Lala swept across the Big Island on Aug. 15. With electricity and communications still not fully restored, the prospect of another heavy downpour has heightened concerns about further damage.

Lala dumped about 3.5 feet (1,066 millimeters) of rain on mountainous areas of the Big Island. Recovery work is ongoing in areas hit by landslides.

Thousands of households remain without power. The water level at Wahiawa Dam also rose more than 20 feet because of the hurricane, and Hawaii state officials are closely monitoring the situation.

The National Hurricane Center warned that even relatively modest rainfall could trigger life-threatening floods and landslides in areas that already flooded last week.

"Consider leaving hazardous areas and staying with friends and family," said John Bravender, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. "Preparations should be completed before the rain arrives this weekend."