Technology and Science · updated 2h ago · 2 min read
Hurricane Nolo Threatens Hawaii’s Big Island With Catastrophic Flooding Rain And Dangerous Surf
Nolo rapidly intensifies, forecast to reach major hurricane and trigger catastrophic flooding on Hawaii Island. Up to 35 inches of rain and life-threatening flash flooding possible on Big Island.
Expected maximum rainfall totals.
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“Parts of Hawaii Island could get up to 25 inches of rain from Hurricane Nolo”Read the original ↗
Rainfall-peak uncertainty drives urgency for flood and mudslide risk planning.
Nolo’s slow approach
Hurricane Nolo is forecast to strengthen into a major hurricane in the Pacific Ocean over the weekend, bringing intense rain, the possibility of life-threatening flash flooding, and dangerous surf for Hawaii’s Big Island.
The National Hurricane Center forecast said Nolo was a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph, and it was about 155 miles south of South Point while moving north-northeast at 5 mph as of Friday 8 p.m. ET (2 p.m. HST).
The National Hurricane Center warned that “Time is almost up for residents to finish preparations for heavy rain and flooding impacts,” as heavy rain was expected to increase in both coverage and intensity late today.
Mark Peters, a resident of Naalehu in southern Big Island for seven years, said, “We’re just getting started with our recovery, but to have yet another big storm hit us, and potentially even bigger than the last one, it’s difficult.”
Rain, winds, and alerts
The National Hurricane Center forecast said Nolo could trigger life-threatening catastrophic flooding and mudslides, especially in steep terrain across eastern and southern portions of both Big Island and Maui over the weekend. Nolo is forecast to dump 10 to 15 inches of rain, with up to 25 inches forecasted, in eastern and southern parts of Big Island, while western portions of Big Island could see two to four inches with maximum amounts of eight inches.
The National Hurricane Center forecast also said Maui could see four to six inches, with maximum amounts of 10 inches, and it said a hurricane watch and tropical storm warning were in effect for Hawaii County while a tropical storm watch was in effect for Maui County. Michael Brennan, director of the National Hurricane Center, told residents, “People are going to want to kind of shelter in place on the Big Island, be in their safe place, certainly by later today, tonight, well into Saturday.”
Recovery pressure and preparations
Crews on the Big Island spent hours Friday trying to build berms to guide water and move large debris ahead of the worst of the rain, and Hawaii officials activated more than 230 Hawaii National Guard members. Hurricane Nolo rapidly intensified into a Category 2 hurricane Friday morning, and it described the Big Island’s worst impacts as arriving as the storm makes its closest approach late Friday through Saturday local time.
Potentially life-threatening flooding and mudslides are again possible, as the state faces its third impactful swipe from a hurricane in just six weeks. The National Hurricane Center told residents, “The time to finish preparations for significant heavy rain and flooding impacts on the Big Island is now,” as the storm’s slow movement and heavy rain threatened catastrophic conditions.