Hurricane Nolo Churns Toward Hawaii as Big Island Residents Brace for Floods

Heavy rain and powerful winds are forecast to sweep across the Hawaiian Islands this weekend, with flash floods and extreme surf expected as Hurricane Nolo grinds slowly south of the Big Island.

The storm was carrying maximum sustained winds of 90 mph on Saturday, its center positioned roughly 160 miles south of Hawaii's southernmost point. Forecasters warn it could intensify into a potentially life-threatening and catastrophic storm over the weekend.

The threat comes as the islands are still recovering from hurricanes Lala and Lowell.

In Hilo, some residents carried on with their usual routines even as the storm approached. At Carlsmith Beach Park, swimmers were in the water as waves churned offshore, before lifeguards posted signs closing the beach.

"Well, we've all been preparing for the hurricane and in Hilo it generally isn't too bad," said resident Andrea Gill, speaking after emerging from a swim. "We got rain. We're used to rain. We're used to lots of rain."

Gill said downtown businesses had been getting ready, with many events called off as a precaution. "The rest of us are just kind of hunkered down and waiting," she said, expressing hope that the storm would move on rather than linger.

Not everyone stayed ashore. Net fishermen Duke Paaaina, Sr. and his son Duke Jr. prepared to cast their nets in the choppy waters, with the elder Paaaina offering a blunt assessment of the choice facing those who make their living from the sea.

"We stop fishing, we stop living. Period," he said.

Lifeguards kept watch over the area as the sea grew rougher, while palm trees stood reflected in puddles left by the rain.