Hurricane Nolo Skirts Hawaii, Still Threatens Flash Floods, Strong Winds

Heavy rain from Hurricane Nolo is intensifying in southern Hawaii, marking the islands' third hurricane encounter in six weeks.

Nolo rapidly intensified into a Category 2 hurricane on Friday and maintained that strength on Saturday morning. The Big Island faces the worst impacts as Nolo makes its closest approach Saturday local time, with extreme rain as the primary threat, alongside strong wind gusts and dangerous seas. Nolo is expected to make its closest approach as a high-end Category 2 or Category 3 major hurricane.

Rainfall totals have been lowered but remain dangerous, with 8 to 12 inches possible over eastern and southern Big Island through Sunday, and up to 16 inches in steepest terrain, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm's center was about 165 miles (266 kilometers) south-southwest of Hawaii’s southernmost point with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (150 kph).

It is forecast to strengthen into a major hurricane late Sunday and early Monday while traveling westward south of the islands. A hurricane watch was canceled, and direct landfall by the storm’s center was not expected. Forecasters said Nolo's outer bands could cause life-threatening flooding and mudslides, with parts of the Big Island potentially seeing rainfall up to 20 inches (51 centimeters).

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green declared a state of emergency, the third storm-related emergency declaration this month. President Donald Trump approved the state’s request for a pre-landfall Presidential Emergency Declaration, Governor Green said Friday. More than 120 National Guard members were activated on the Big Island, part of roughly 400 statewide. Residents are still recovering from Hurricane Lala in August, which caused heavy rain and winds that swept about 100 homes off their foundations on the Big Island.

Hurricane Lowell delivered a blow to Kauai and Niihau in early September as a Category 2 storm. Michael Brennan, director of the National Hurricane Center, advised against venturing out into dangerous flooding or high winds due to potential trees and power lines down. The El Niño-fueled hurricane is one of three, including Polo and Odalys, churning in the Pacific Ocean.