Hurricane Nolo is expected to unleash gale‑force winds and flash‑flooding across Hawaii's Big Island overnight.
Forecasters with the US National Weather Service predict sustained winds of 130‑150 km/h, with gusts topping 180 km/h on the leeward coast. Rainfall could exceed 250 mm in the mountainous interior, raising the likelihood of rapid‑runoff floods in valleys that are still recovering from earlier storms. The storm is also set to generate surf of 4‑5 metres along the north‑shore beaches, a danger the state’s ocean safety teams say could strand swimmers and damage coastal infrastructure.
Winds, rain and surf forecast
Model runs released on Tuesday show Nolo moving north‑westward at roughly 20 km/h, keeping the eye of the cyclone offshore while its outer rain bands sweep across the islands. The Weather Service issued a hurricane‑force wind warning for the eastern and southern sectors of the Big Island, and a flash‑flood watch for the central and northern districts.
Local meteorologists note that the storm’s moisture plume is unusually deep, a factor that could intensify the already‑saturated soils from Hurricane Fiona earlier this month. "If the rain falls at the predicted rates, we could see sudden flooding in low‑lying areas that were only partially repaired after the last storm," said a senior forecaster at the Honolulu Weather Centre.
Authorities mobilise emergency response
Governor Josh Green declared a state of emergency for the entire archipelago on Monday, activating the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI‑EMA). The agency has opened eight shelters on the Big Island, each capable of housing up to 250 residents displaced by flooding or power outages.
Utility companies have pre‑positioned repair crews and are urging customers to prepare for extended outages. "We are ready to restore power as quickly as safety permits," a spokesperson for Hawaiian Electric said in a briefing.
Police have imposed temporary road closures on the saddle routes of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, citing the risk of landslides. The Department of Transportation also warned that ferry services between the islands may be suspended if sea conditions deteriorate.
Recent storm history and outlook
The Big Island is still patching up damage from a series of tropical disturbances that battered the state in July and August, including a Category 2 storm that knocked out water supplies in Hilo for two weeks. Soil erosion from those events has left many slopes vulnerable, a concern that scientists say could amplify Nolo's flood potential.
Climate experts point to a warming Pacific that fuels more intense hurricanes, but they caution that each storm's track remains subject to complex atmospheric patterns. "While the season is still early, the frequency of high‑impact storms is consistent with long‑term trends," noted Dr Lydia Kawai, a climatologist at the University of Hawai‘i.
Looking ahead, the National Hurricane Center expects Nolo to weaken to a tropical storm by Thursday as it moves away from the islands, but residual rain bands could linger for several days, keeping flood warnings in place.
Tourism operators have begun adjusting itineraries, with some coastal resorts offering complimentary shuttle services for guests staying inland. The Department of Tourism urged visitors to stay informed via official channels and to heed any evacuation orders.
Residents on the Big Island are urged to secure loose objects, stock up on water and non‑perishable food, and keep mobile phones charged for emergency alerts.
As night falls, emergency crews stand by, ready to respond to any flash‑flood incidents that may arise from the storm’s onslaught.
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