Hawaii Storm Threat
Tropical Storm Nolo threatens Hawaii with catastrophic flooding and hurricane conditions as recovery continues.
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Forecasters expected Nolo to make a sharp turn north and then north-northeast on Thursday as it approaches the Big Island, while the rest of the Hawaiian islands could receive roughly 1 to 3 inches of rain and face isolated flooding.
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AccuWeather forecast a potential 55-inch rainfall maximum on the Big Island; if reached, that total would make Nolo the second-wettest hurricane on record in Hawaii.
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Hawaii County officials said the National Guard was preparing to deploy high-wheeled vehicles capable of safely reaching areas affected by flooding, after the county requested that an existing Hurricane Lala recovery mission be extended.
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The storm would be Hawaii’s third hurricane threat in a little over a month, following Hurricane Lowell’s damage to Kauai and Niihau and Hurricane Lala’s destruction on the Big Island; a National Weather Service meteorologist said residents remained “very much in the recovery phase.”
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AccuWeather said Lala left parts of Hawaii without power for more than a week and produced 140-mph winds at the summit of Mauna Kea, underscoring the vulnerability of areas Nolo may affect.
Tropical Storm Nolo is barreling toward Hawaii with the potential to devastate the Big Island this weekend. KITV reports the storm currently has 40 mph winds but is expected to become a Category 3 Hurricane before arriving Friday or Saturday. Forecasters warn it could bring 15 to 20 inches of rain to Hawaii Island, with some areas seeing up to 35 inches or more — totals that could trigger catastrophic flooding and mudslides.
The threat comes as Hawaii Island remains in recovery mode from Hurricane Lala, which struck just weeks ago. Hawaii News Now reports that Nolo is Hawaii's third hurricane threat in just over a month, following Hurricanes Lowell and Lala. Residents are being urged to stock up on supplies, and local officials have activated emergency response plans including National Guard deployments.
Storm Could Match Hawaii's Wettest Hurricane Records
Nolo's rainfall potential is staggering. WRTV states the storm could dump up to 20 inches on Maui and up to 35 inches in isolated spots on the Big Island. But Yahoo News reports AccuWeather forecasters are tracking an even more alarming scenario: a potential 55-inch rainfall maximum on Hawaii Island. If that happens, Nolo would rank as Hawaii's second-wettest hurricane on record.
Hurricane Lala Left Communities Vulnerable to New Damage
Hawaii News Now notes that Hurricane Lala destroyed homes and left parts of the Big Island without power for over a week just recently. The storm produced 140 mph winds at Mauna Kea's summit, showing how powerful these Pacific hurricanes can be. Windward and southeastern areas of Hawaii Island and Maui face the greatest risk because drainage systems were altered by Lala's earlier flooding.
A National Weather Service meteorologist told WRTV that residents remain "very much in the recovery phase" from recent hurricanes. Communities haven't finished rebuilding homes or fixing infrastructure damaged by Lala. Nolo's arrival during recovery could compound losses and strain emergency resources already stretched thin.
National Guard Mobilizes as Events Get Canceled
Hawaii County officials are preparing for the worst. KITV reports the National Guard is standing by to deploy high-wheeled vehicles capable of reaching flooded areas. County leaders requested that an existing Hurricane Lala recovery mission be extended to handle Nolo's aftermath. Utilities are also preparing emergency response plans.
The threat has already disrupted island life. Hawaii News Now reports that the Na Wahine O Ke Kai canoe race scheduled for Sunday and the Queen's North Hawaii Community Hospital pet walk have been canceled or postponed. Schools and businesses are reviewing closure plans as forecasters monitor Nolo's exact track toward the islands.
Expected Path and Rainfall Across All Islands
KITV says Nolo will make a sharp turn north and then north-northeast on Thursday as it approaches the Big Island. The exact track will determine rainfall and wind damage across each island. The Big Island faces the most severe threat, but Maui could also see destructive flooding.
Other Hawaiian islands will experience lighter impacts. KITV forecasts the rest of the islands will receive roughly 1 to 3 inches of rain with isolated flooding. Still, residents statewide are urged to monitor official updates and prepare for rapid conditions changes as Nolo approaches.
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