Residents of Hawaii’s Big Island and neighboring islands are being urged to prepare for potentially life‑threatening flooding and mudslides as Tropical Storm Nolo intensifies and moves closer to the state’s eastern islands. The National Hurricane Center has placed a hurricane watch on Hawaii County, warning that extreme rain, damaging winds and hazardous surf are likely.
Storm track and intensity
Nolo is forecast to reach hurricane strength by Thursday night local time and to make its closest approach to the Big Island late Friday through Saturday. Models suggest the system could be a high‑end Category 2 or even a Category 3 major hurricane when it passes within roughly 100 miles of the island – a rare occurrence that would mark the third close brush with a hurricane this season.
If the forecast holds, tropical‑storm‑force winds above 40 mph are expected on the Big Island’s south side Friday through at least Saturday, with hurricane‑force gusts over 75 mph possible. Higher elevations could see even stronger gusts.
Rainfall and flood risk
Rain is set to begin Thursday on the Big Island and spread to Maui, Lanai and Molokai by Thursday night or early Friday. The National Hurricane Center projects 10‑15 inches of rain on the Big Island through Sunday, with up to 35 inches possible in the steepest terrain. In Maui, 5‑10 inches are likely, with isolated amounts up to 20 inches. Other main islands could see 1‑3 inches.
These amounts echo the catastrophic flooding caused by Hurricane Lala in August, which dumped more than 40 inches of rain on parts of the Big Island. The steep mountains force moist air upward, creating torrential downpours that can quickly turn roads into rivers and trigger mudslides.
Coastal impacts and sea conditions
Offshore, dangerous seas will build, reaching a peak Friday and Saturday. Rough surf is expected to persist through the weekend and into the following week, even as the storm tracks westward away from the islands Sunday night.
Recent Pacific activity
Nolo is one of 19 named storms this Pacific hurricane season, including three Category 5 hurricanes. The season has been supercharged by a strong El Niño, which has warmed ocean waters and reduced wind shear that normally weakens storms. Earlier this week, Hurricane Polo exploded from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane in just 24 hours, demonstrating the rapid intensification potential of these warm Pacific waters.
Polo, now located about 100 miles offshore of southern Mexico’s Guerrero state, remains a Category 5 storm with sustained winds of 180 mph. While it is not expected to make landfall in Mexico, it is bringing heavy rain and strong winds to the coastal region, with rainfall totals of 3‑6 inches and isolated amounts up to 8 inches.
What residents can do
Local officials are urging residents to review emergency plans, secure property, and heed any evacuation orders that may be issued. Supplies such as food, water, medication and flashlights should be stocked in case power outages occur. Those in low‑lying areas or near steep slopes should be especially vigilant for flash‑flood warnings and mudslide alerts.
Authorities will continue to monitor Nolo’s progress and provide updates through the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency and the National Hurricane Center. Residents should stay tuned to local news outlets, official social‑media channels and NOAA weather radios for the latest information.
Original reporting: WLKY Louisville — read the source article.
