Hurricane Nolo threatens Hawaii's Big Island with catastrophic flooding

Hurricane Nolo is bearing down on Hawaii's Big Island as the third major tropical storm to threaten the islands in six weeks, with forecasters warning of potentially life-threatening and catastrophic flooding. As of Friday morning, Nolo was approximately 210 miles south of the Big Island and moving northeast, with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (137 kph). The storm was expected to strengthen into a major hurricane by Saturday and may become the strongest storm to pass this close to the Big Island since the late 1950s.

Forecasters warned that eastern and southern portions of the Big Island could receive 10 to 15 inches of rain, with isolated maximums reaching 25 inches in steep terrain. This represents a downward revision from earlier forecasts that predicted up to 35 inches. Peak winds on land were expected to reach 40 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. The National Hurricane Center cautioned that "this rainfall could produce catastrophic life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain." The heaviest rainfall is likely to fall over the same southeastern region hit by Hurricane Lala in August, where ground conditions remain saturated from earlier precipitation, creating heightened flood risk.

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green declared a state of emergency—the third storm-related emergency declaration in September—and requested a federal disaster declaration for four counties. President Donald Trump approved a pre-landfall Presidential Emergency Declaration on Friday. More than 230 Hawaii National Guard members were activated, public schools were closed for the remainder of the week, and county officials opened shelters. Hawaiian Electric confirmed that crews assisting with power restoration from Hurricane Lowell would return to prepare affected islands for Nolo's arrival.

The surge in severe storms striking Hawaii this year is linked to exceptionally warm sea-surface temperatures in the Pacific driven by El Niño. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, El Niño has caused hurricanes to form further south and west, positioning them to make westward runs toward the Hawaiian islands. More than 500 homes have already been damaged or destroyed in 2026, and the Big Island is still recovering from Hurricane Lala's catastrophic flooding that produced over 40 inches of rain in some areas. Climate scientists note that warming oceans are absorbing excess heat from the atmosphere, potentially strengthening future storms with more moisture and stronger winds as the Pacific hurricane season continues through November.