Hurricane Nolo strengthening near Hawaii

Hurricane Nolo is strengthening south of Hawaii, with forecasters warning that the storm could bring potentially catastrophic flooding to the Big Island through the weekend.

As of 9 UTC on Thursday, September 24, Nolo has maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 kph), making it a Category 1 hurricane. It’s currently about 240 miles (390 kilometers) south of Hawaii’s South Point, and about 430 miles (690 kilometers) south-southeast of Honolulu. It’s moving north-northeast at about 5 mph (8 km/h).

Nolo had strengthened to a Tropical Storm on September 23, before rapidly intensifying early on September 24 and reaching hurricane status by that evening. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) expects Nolo to strengthen further, potentially becoming a major hurricane — Category 3 or stronger — this weekend.

Nolo’s center is expected to remain well south of the main Hawaiian islands, but it still poses great threat. The NHC warns that it could trigger “catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding” through the weekend.

Heavy rain is Nolo’s biggest threat

While Nolo isn’t expected to make landfall, its rain is cause for concern.

The National Hurricane Center says the eastern and southern portions of the Big Island will see 15-30 inches of rainfall, with peaks of 35 inches. That, they say:

…could produce catastrophic life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain.

The same danger is present in the western parts of the Big Island — which could receive up to 10 inches — and Maui, which could receive up to 15 inches. Across the remainder of the Hawaiian Islands, rainfall totals of 1 to 3 inches with maximum amounts of 6 inches are expected, possibly causing isolated flooding.

Nolo could also produce a storm surge of around 1 to 3 feet above ground in parts of Hawaii County, along with dangerous surf and rip currents on exposed shores.

For updates, head to the National Hurricane Center.

Bottom line: Hurricane Nolo is strengthening south of Hawaii, and could bring potentially catastrophic flooding to the Big Island through the weekend.