Hawaii warns of catastrophic flash flooding as Hurricane Nolo nears Big Island

Authorities in Hawaii have warned of catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding on the Big Island as Hurricane Nolo moves close to the island. The alert comes as the storm strengthens and tracks near one of the state's most populated islands. Officials say the main risks now include extreme rainfall, mudslides and dangerous flooding in steep terrain.

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The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued an alert for possible catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding this weekend. The National Hurricane Center said Nolo could bring as much as three feet of rain, with maximum sustained winds of up to 80 mph. The hurricane is currently about 240 miles south of South Point and is being tracked as a Category 1 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale.

Forecasters say Nolo is expected to pass very close to the Big Island on Saturday, which could intensify the impact if the storm shifts farther north. The island is home to about 210,000 people, and officials are warning that mudslides could add to the danger because of the terrain. The combination of heavy rain and steep slopes raises the risk of rapid flooding in vulnerable areas.

The warning matters because Hawaii is facing another significant tropical threat in a season that has already brought several storms close to the islands. The Big Island has already been affected by hurricanes Lala and Lowell this year, underlining how unusual and disruptive repeated tropical systems can be for the state. Hawaii does not typically see frequent hurricane activity, so each close approach can have outsized consequences for transport, power, housing and emergency response.

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The supporting material also points to the scale of damage that can follow even a single storm in the islands. During Hurricane Lala, winds reached up to 91 mph, 25 inches of rain fell, and a storm surge of about 3 feet was reported. More than 60,000 people lost power, and two homes in Naalehu were swept away by flooding, showing how quickly tropical weather can overwhelm local infrastructure.

What remains unclear is how close Nolo will ultimately pass to the island and whether the heaviest rain will fall over the most vulnerable areas. The next key developments will be the storm's track, any changes in intensity, and whether emergency warnings are expanded. Residents and officials will be watching for further updates on rainfall totals, flooding, mudslide risk and possible disruption to power and transport.

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