Tropical Storm Nolo Strengthens Near Hawaii as Big Island Braces for Flooding

Residents of Hawaii's Big Island are preparing for a potentially catastrophic storm as Tropical Storm Nolo is forecast to bring flash flooding and extreme surf while passing south of the islands over the weekend.

Nolo is expected to strengthen into a Category 3 hurricane or stronger on Saturday. Its maximum sustained winds rose to 169 km/h (105 mph) on Friday, and the storm's eye was positioned roughly 298 kilometres (185 miles) south of Hawaii's southernmost point.

On the Big Island, people were seen filling bags with sand to shield properties from the coming weather. One resident, Derren Montalvo, said he had heard forecasts of heavy rain and decided to act. "We're supposed to get heavy rains. I think they said like three feet of rain," he said, adding that he was gathering sandbags for an area prone to flooding. The bags, he said, would be placed behind a restaurant down the street to keep water away from the building.

Meteorologists warned that parts of the Big Island could receive rainfall totals of up to 38 centimetres (15 inches), with isolated amounts possibly reaching 64 centimetres (25 inches). Those figures are lower than earlier forecasts, which had projected up to 89 centimetres (35 inches).

Although Nolo is not expected to make a direct hit on the islands, heavy rain is also possible on other Hawaiian islands, the hurricane centre indicated.