Hurricane Nolo crawled slowly south of Hawaii’s Big Island on Saturday, packing sustained winds of 90 mph. The slow-moving storm threatens the islands with life-threatening flash floods, mudslides, and extreme surf just weeks after Hurricane Lala displaced roughly 100 homes.
Hurricane Nolo Stalls South of the Big Island
The center of Hurricane Nolo sat about 165 miles south-southwest of Hawaii’s southernmost point on Saturday, creeping northward at a crawl. Although forecasters canceled a hurricane watch and ruled out a direct landfall by the eye, the system’s expansive outer bands continue to target the islands with torrential rain. Parts of the Big Island face rainfall totals reaching up to 20 inches, while severe downpours are also expected across neighboring islands.
National Hurricane Center Director Michael Brennan urged residents to stay out of harm’s way as conditions deteriorate. Don’t venture out if you don’t have to into the dangerous flooding environment, but also high winds. We can have trees and power lines down,
he said on Friday.
Emergency Declarations and On-the-Ground Response
President Donald Trump approved an emergency declaration for Hawaii on Friday, clearing the way for the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate federal assistance and funding support. In response to the incoming storm, the state governor issued an emergency proclamation activating roughly 400 National Guard members statewide, including more than 120 assigned directly to the Big Island.
High water already impacted regional infrastructure on Saturday, leading to partial closures along a primary highway connecting Kailua-Kona and Hilo. National Guard personnel assisted residents crossing flooded streets near Naalehu, helping motorists evacuate waterlogged neighborhoods. Meanwhile, Hawaiian Electric dispatched utility crews back to Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island after those teams finished assisting with power restoration following Hurricane Lowell earlier in the month.
Recovery Efforts Strain Under Consecutive Storm Threats
Communities bracing for Nolo are still struggling to recover from Hurricane Lala, which struck in August and generated winds strong enough to sweep roughly 100 homes off their foundations. The humanitarian nonprofit Community Organized Relief Effort spent the week air-cargoing emergency supplies—including camp stoves and hygiene kits—from Oahu to maintain a relief hub on the Big Island.
Reflecting on the compounding disasters, National Guard Specialist Sherie Kaili recalled the severe conditions during Lala. Pitch black, you know, service went down, electric was down, rivers came out of nowhere,
she noted.
The 2026 Pacific hurricane season has displayed unusual intensity, running well above average during its peak period.
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