Hurricane Nolo churned slowly south of Hawaii's Big Island on Saturday, packing maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 kph) and threatening flash floods and extreme surf across the islands, as President Donald Trump approved a federal emergency declaration.
The storm's center was about 145 miles (235 kilometers) south of Hawaii's southernmost point on Saturday and could strengthen further through the weekend, forecasters warned. Parts of the Big Island faced rainfall totals of up to 20 inches (51 centimeters), with heavy rain expected on the other islands as well. Possible flooding and mudslides were a major concern.
"Don't venture out if you don't have to into the dangerous flooding environment, but also high winds. We can have trees and power lines down," National Hurricane Center director Michael Brennan said on Friday.
Emergency response ramps up
Trump approved the emergency declaration on Friday, authorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate federal assistance and provide funding for emergency measures. The state's governor issued an emergency proclamation and activated hundreds of Hawaii National Guard members, while officials urged residents to assemble emergency kits. County officials on the Big Island asked people in flood-prone areas to consider moving to shelters or safer locations. Schools were closed in some areas.
The storm surge could reach 1 to 3 feet (30 to 91 centimeters), the hurricane center said, creating large and dangerous waves and coastal flooding.
Still recovering from Lala
The heaviest rain is expected over the same southeastern region of the Big Island hit by Hurricane Lala in August, which swept about 100 homes off their foundations. The humanitarian nonprofit CORE and its partners spent the week air-shipping camp stoves, hygiene products and other supplies from Oahu to a community relief hub that has been active since Lala. Hawaiian Electric said crews that had been restoring power on Kauai after Hurricane Lowell would return to Oahu, Maui and the Big Island ahead of the storm.
In Hilo, where light rain fell on Friday, residents filled sandbags at a distribution center set up at Francis Wong Stadium. At Hilo International Airport, Southwest Airlines canceled flights while Hawaiian Airlines was still operating on Friday afternoon; traveler Daniela Mendoza was trying to get home to Oahu. "I hope I can leave," she said. "My cats are waiting for me."
Sources:
Hurricane Nolo expected to unleash powerful winds, flash flooding on Hawaii (AP): https://990theanswer.com/news/natio...ng-on-hawaii/5b03b3f9fea549355c55b1edd985907a
Hurricanes in the Pacific threaten Hawaii and Mexico with floods and high surf (AP): https://www.thealabamanewswire.com/...cle_359d324a-1007-58e2-a80d-56c6a8b188b9.html
Hurricanes in the Pacific threaten Hawaii and Mexico with floods and high surf (AP): https://webcenters.netscape.compuse...001/20260926/e92145be4b564484025132cdf3d0de90
The storm's center was about 145 miles (235 kilometers) south of Hawaii's southernmost point on Saturday and could strengthen further through the weekend, forecasters warned. Parts of the Big Island faced rainfall totals of up to 20 inches (51 centimeters), with heavy rain expected on the other islands as well. Possible flooding and mudslides were a major concern.
"Don't venture out if you don't have to into the dangerous flooding environment, but also high winds. We can have trees and power lines down," National Hurricane Center director Michael Brennan said on Friday.
Emergency response ramps up
Trump approved the emergency declaration on Friday, authorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate federal assistance and provide funding for emergency measures. The state's governor issued an emergency proclamation and activated hundreds of Hawaii National Guard members, while officials urged residents to assemble emergency kits. County officials on the Big Island asked people in flood-prone areas to consider moving to shelters or safer locations. Schools were closed in some areas.
The storm surge could reach 1 to 3 feet (30 to 91 centimeters), the hurricane center said, creating large and dangerous waves and coastal flooding.
Still recovering from Lala
The heaviest rain is expected over the same southeastern region of the Big Island hit by Hurricane Lala in August, which swept about 100 homes off their foundations. The humanitarian nonprofit CORE and its partners spent the week air-shipping camp stoves, hygiene products and other supplies from Oahu to a community relief hub that has been active since Lala. Hawaiian Electric said crews that had been restoring power on Kauai after Hurricane Lowell would return to Oahu, Maui and the Big Island ahead of the storm.
In Hilo, where light rain fell on Friday, residents filled sandbags at a distribution center set up at Francis Wong Stadium. At Hilo International Airport, Southwest Airlines canceled flights while Hawaiian Airlines was still operating on Friday afternoon; traveler Daniela Mendoza was trying to get home to Oahu. "I hope I can leave," she said. "My cats are waiting for me."
Sources:
Hurricane Nolo expected to unleash powerful winds, flash flooding on Hawaii (AP): https://990theanswer.com/news/natio...ng-on-hawaii/5b03b3f9fea549355c55b1edd985907a
Hurricanes in the Pacific threaten Hawaii and Mexico with floods and high surf (AP): https://www.thealabamanewswire.com/...cle_359d324a-1007-58e2-a80d-56c6a8b188b9.html
Hurricanes in the Pacific threaten Hawaii and Mexico with floods and high surf (AP): https://webcenters.netscape.compuse...001/20260926/e92145be4b564484025132cdf3d0de90
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