Hurricane Nolo threatens Hawaii with catastrophic flooding
Hurricane Nolo was about 210 miles south of Hawaii's Big Island on Friday, bringing the threat of catastrophic flooding to communities still recovering from months of disasters.
Residents on Hawaii’s Big Island were bracing on Friday for potentially life-threatening and catastrophic flooding from Hurricane Nolo, even though the storm is not forecast to make landfall, the Associated Press reported.
Nolo was about 210 miles south of the Big Island on Friday morning and heading north-east, with tropical storm conditions expected to reach land in the evening, according to the US National Hurricane Centre. The storm’s maximum sustained winds stood at 85mph, and it was expected to strengthen into a major hurricane on Saturday.
Forecasters warned the island’s eastern and southern areas could see 10 to 15 inches of rain, with a maximum of 25 inches. “This rainfall could produce catastrophic life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain,” the hurricane centre said. Maui could also see heavy rainfall and life-threatening flooding and mudslides.
The governor issued an emergency proclamation, activating more than 230 Hawaii National Guard members, and schools were closed for the rest of the week.
The storm is striking a state still reeling from months of disasters: Hawaii has suffered hundreds of millions of dollars in damage since March, including US$211m of state property, more than 1,200 homes damaged and at least 74 destroyed, Governor Josh Green said in a video briefing.
Sources
- Associated Press: Hurricane Nolo threatening Hawaii with heavy rain as Polo churns near Mexico
- National Hurricane Center: Hurricane Nolo — Advisory Number 20, 5 AM HST Friday September 25, 2026
- NPR: Hurricane Nolo, a zig-zagging storm, threatens Hawaii with flooding rains
- AFP / Free Malaysia Today: Hurricane Nolo threatens Hawaii with catastrophic flooding
More on this topic: all World stories