Tropical Storm Nolo is churning about 295 miles south of South Point with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph, prompting hurricane watches for Hawaiʻi Island and flood watches across Maui County as officials close schools and urge residents to prepare for severe impacts through the weekend.
Tracking Nolo: Current Path, Wind Speeds, and Forecast Track
As of Wednesday evening, Tropical Storm Nolo was churning about 300 miles from South Point, maintaining a maximum sustained wind speed of 45 mph. Forecasters note the storm is moving west-northwest at 6 to 7 mph, with tropical-storm-force winds extending outward up to 80 miles from its center. The Central Pacific Hurricane Center warns that a sharp northern turn is imminent.
This trajectory is expected to bring the storm system close to the Big Island on Friday and Saturday, with hurricane conditions possible in the watch area starting as early as Friday night.
“A sharp turn to the north and north-northeast is expected late tonight through Thursday, with this motion continuing through the end of the week, On the forecast track, the system is expected to approach the Big Island of Hawaii on Friday and Saturday. … Nolo is forecast to become a hurricane by Thursday night and could become a major hurricane by the weekend.”
Central Pacific Hurricane Center
Emergency Closures, Shelters, and Water Conservation
State and county officials have moved quickly to shut down public infrastructure ahead of the severe weather. Gov. Josh Green announced that state and county offices, Hawaiʻi State Department of Education public schools, and University of Hawaiʻi campuses and facilities on Hawaiʻi Island will close Thursday and Friday. These closures will expand to Maui County on Friday.
To assist residents in vulnerable areas, Hawaiʻi County opened four refuge shelters at 6 p.m. Wednesday: Yano Hall in South Kona, Nāʻālehu Gym and Robert Herkes Gym in Kaʻū, and the Keaʻau Armory in Puna. Free shuttle bus service is also operating from Nāʻālehu Gym to Robert Herkes Gym in Pāhala.
At the same time, the Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply issued strict conservation directives as electrical power disruptions threaten water service. Officials urged customers to store emergency drinking water immediately and limit tap use to essential needs only.
“Tap water should be used only for essential needs, such as drinking, cooking and personal hygiene, until weather conditions improve. Conserving drinking water helps maintain adequate storage in DWS tanks for essential needs and emergency fire protection.”
Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply
Rainfall Totals, Flood Risks, and Mayor’s Warnings
The primary hazard accompanying Nolo is catastrophic rainfall. Forecasters project 15 to 20 inches of rain across the Big Island, with maximum amounts reaching 35 inches. Maui County is expected to receive 5 to 10 inches, with isolated areas seeing up to 20 inches, while the remainder of the Hawaiian islands can expect 1 to 3 inches.
Local leadership has emphasized personal readiness as emergency management coordinates cross-agency defenses. Mayor Richard Bissen noted that emergency teams are actively preparing for potential impacts across Maui County.
“We are closely monitoring this latest tropical system, and our emergency management teams are preparing for the possibility of impacts to Maui County, While it is still too early to know exactly what conditions we may see, now is the time for residents and visitors to take simple steps to be prepared.”
Mayor Richard Bissen
In addition to inland flooding, coastal impacts remain a significant concern. The Central Pacific Hurricane Center warns that storm surge could push water 1 to 3 feet above ground on the Big Island if peak flooding coincides with high tide. Swells are expected to build along east and south shores starting Friday, generating dangerous surf and rip currents that will spread westward through the weekend.