Residents on Hawaii's Big Island were urged on Friday to brace for potentially life-threatening and catastrophic flooding from Hurricane Nolo. A bulletin from the US National Hurricane Centre warns residents and tourists of "catastrophic and life-threatening flooding possible on the Big Island of Hawaii into the weekend."
The centre also said a Hurricane Watch is in place for the area, meaning "hurricane conditions are possible within 24-36 hours." Heavy rain and strong winds are also expected.
Storm track and wind speeds
The bulletin added: "Nolo is moving toward the north-northeast near 5mph (7km/h), and this general motion with a decrease in forward speed is expected through tonight. A turn toward the west-northwest and west with an increase in forward speed is forecast for Saturday and Sunday."
"On the forecast track, the centre of Nolo will remain well south of the main Hawaiian Island. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 85mph (140km/h) with higher gusts."
Impact on other islands and preparations
While Nolo was not forecast to directly hit them, heavy rainfall was deemed possible on Hawaii's other islands too, the hurricane center said. Maui also could see heavy rainfall and potential life-threatening flooding and mudslides, forecasters said.
Hawaiian Electric, the state's primary utility, said crews that had been helping restore power in Kauai after this month's Hurricane Lowell would return to Oahu, Maui and the Big Island in preparation for the coming storm.
Residents and tourists on the Big Island were busy preparing. "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," said Daniel Compton, who was visiting from Seattle.
Earlier hurricane damage and disaster request
Earlier this month, Hurricane Lowell skirted along Hawaii's western edge, and at least two deaths were linked to the storm. The hurricane hit the island of Kauai with intense wind and surging waves that damaged oceanfront resorts, ripped apart roads and knocked out power, prompting tourism officials to urge visitors to stay away from the area.
On Lanai, a harbour that supplies much of the food and fuel to its 3,300 residents was inoperable and repair works could take weeks, authorities said.
Since the beginning of August, there have been four hurricanes in the Pacific. This has also affected tourism, with thousands of people, including in some resorts, remaining without power while crews continued clearing roads of downed trees and toppled utility poles.
Democratic Gov. Josh Green asked President Donald Trump on Wednesday to issue a major disaster declaration to expedite federal help for Kauai and Maui counties. "We cannot wait for every damaged road, utility pole, harbour, and public facility to be assigned a dollar value before asking the federal government to act," Green said.
