Key facts
- Hurricane Nolo is expected to bring life-threatening flooding to Hawaii on Friday.
- The storm could bring up to 25 inches of rain and large, damaging waves.
- Hawaii has activated over 230 National Guard members and closed schools.
- Governor Josh Green requested a federal disaster declaration for four Hawaii counties.
- Senator Brian Schatz attributed the increasing frequency of destructive disasters to the warming planet.
Hurricane Nolo is projected to bring potentially life-threatening and catastrophic flooding to Hawaii on Friday, impacting communities that are still recovering from devastating storms earlier this summer. The state has activated over 230 Hawaii National Guard members and closed schools in anticipation of the storm.
While Nolo is expected to move west on Saturday and not directly hit the islands, forecasters warn it will still cause heavy rainfall, potentially up to 25 inches, along with large and damaging waves. This comes as remote communities are still grappling with the aftermath of extreme weather in recent months that destroyed homes, washed away roads, and left neighborhoods without power. Nolo is forecasted to bring the heaviest rain to an area that was severely impacted by Hurricane Lala in August, where some residents remain displaced.
Residents expressed anxiety about the approaching storm. "We’re slowly starting to rebuild, but now it’s almost like if this storm hits, it’ll smash us back down," said Troy Gacayan, a high school teacher and pastor, to Honolulu Civil Beat. As of Friday morning, Nolo was located just over 200 miles south of the Big Island and was expected to move north-east, bringing tropical storm conditions by the evening before potentially strengthening into a major hurricane on Saturday.
The US National Hurricane Center stated, "This rainfall could produce catastrophic life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain." Residents and tourists alike were preparing for the storm's approach. Daniel Compton, visiting from Seattle, noted, "I guess that’d be my concern – whether we’re getting out of here or not, but, you know, as far as the weather goes, it is what it is."
Hawaii’s emergency management agency has advised residents and visitors to review emergency plans, ensure properties are prepared for flooding, high winds, and power outages, and to consider evacuation. Earlier this week, Governor Josh Green requested an emergency disaster declaration for four Hawaii counties to access federal funds and emergency support, a request that awaits approval from Donald Trump.