Hurricane Nolo strengthened to Category 2 status as it approaches Hawaii, with forecasters warning Hurricane Nolo could deliver catastrophic, life-threatening flooding across parts of the state, particularly the Big Island. The National Hurricane Center said the storm is expected to intensify through the weekend before weakening on Monday.
As of Saturday morning, the system was nearly stationary, according to the hurricane center. It is forecast to turn west and accelerate later Saturday and Sunday. Forecasters expect it to reach major hurricane strength, Category 3 or higher, later Saturday or early Sunday.
A hurricane watch is in effect for Hawaii County. Up to 3 feet of rain is possible on the Big Island, and officials cautioned that flash flooding could be catastrophic and life-threatening into the weekend.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green said President Trump approved an emergency declaration Friday to free up federal assistance and resources for the state in response to Nolo.
“Do not venture out if you do not have to,” National Hurricane Center Director Michael Brennan said Friday, urging residents to avoid hazardous flooding and high winds that could bring down trees and power lines.
Hurricane Nolo forecast track and wind field
The storm’s center was several hundred miles from Hawaii on Saturday morning and is expected to remain well south and southwest of the main islands. However, hurricane-force winds extended up to 45 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds reached up to 140 miles.
Nolo’s maximum sustained winds were near 100 mph, keeping it at Category 2 strength. The Miami-based hurricane center said further strengthening is likely this weekend before a gradual weakening begins Monday.
A tropical storm warning is in effect for Hawaii County, alongside the hurricane watch, and a tropical storm watch is posted for Maui County.
Tropical storm conditions began on the Big Island Friday night, forecasters said, with hurricane conditions possible Saturday, especially in areas with steep terrain.
Rainfall totals could reach 25 inches across eastern and southern parts of the Big Island, raising the risk of catastrophic, life-threatening flooding and mudslides. Western portions of the island could see 2 to 4 inches, with up to 8 inches in some areas. Maui could receive 4 to 6 inches, with isolated amounts near 10 inches. The rest of the state is forecast to receive 1 to 3 inches, with localized totals up to 5 inches that could prompt isolated flooding.
All state parks on the Big Island and on Maui will close because of the storm, the Department of Land and Natural Resources announced.
Hurricane Nolo formed while another system, Hurricane Polo, continued spinning in the eastern Pacific off southwestern Mexico. The pair of systems arrive amid an active Pacific hurricane season.
Earlier this month, Hurricane Lowell brought damaging winds and heavy rain to Kauai and Niihau, toppling trees, damaging roads and cutting power to thousands. Last month, Hurricane Lala washed away about 100 homes, triggered landslides and caused widespread outages as it brushed past Hawaii.