Hurricane Nolo Edges Closer to Hawaii as Big Island Braces for Flooding

Hurricane Nolo hovered less than 150 miles south of Hawaii's Big Island on Saturday, September 26, lashing the island with tropical-storm-force winds and heavy rain while barely moving from its position.

The storm's proximity marks an unusually severe hurricane threat for the Big Island — the closest a storm of this strength has come to the island since the 1950s.

Tropical-storm conditions, with winds of 39 to 73 mph, were reported across the Big Island, while gusty winds reached wind-prone parts of Maui County, Oahu and Kauai. More than 3 inches of rain had already fallen in some areas of the Big Island.

Storm expected to strengthen

Nolo has stayed nearly stationary for hours but is expected to drift westward and gain strength through the weekend, becoming a major hurricane on Sunday. A hurricane watch remains in effect for the Big Island.

The forecast track keeps the storm's core and strongest winds south of the Big Island, though forecasters warned that a slow-moving system could wobble northward and push stronger winds closer to shore. Even without a direct landfall, rain, strong winds and hazardous ocean conditions are expected across parts of the island chain.

Rain poses the biggest danger

Flooding rainfall is expected to be the most widespread and potentially dangerous impact. Flood watches remain in effect for the Big Island, Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Kahoolawe.

Rainfall totals could reach up to 25 inches in some parts of the Big Island, up to 10 inches on Maui and up to 3 inches on other islands, with the heaviest rain falling over mountain slopes. The National Hurricane Center has warned of potentially life-threatening and catastrophic flash flooding and mudslides on the Big Island, and life-threatening flooding and mudslides on Maui.

The concern is heightened because parts of the Big Island and Maui County were hit by flooding, mudslides and strong winds from Hurricane Lala in August, with some communities only recently regaining power.

Wind and coastal hazards

The greatest risk of damaging winds currently lies over parts of the Big Island. While hurricane-force winds are not the most likely outcome under the current track, they cannot be ruled out if Nolo shifts farther north. Such winds could cause serious damage to homes and businesses, while weaker gusts could topple trees and cause power outages. Mountainous terrain may amplify gusts, particularly at peaks and on the downwind sides of slopes.

Nolo is also expected to generate large swells along the Hawaiian coastline, creating dangerous surf and rip currents, with coastal flooding possible in parts of the Big Island.