Nolo Becomes Hurricane, Threatening Flooding in Hawaii

Tropical Storm Nolo strengthened into a hurricane Thursday as forecasters warned that it could bring catastrophic flooding and mudslides to Hawaiʻi’s Big Island and Maui. The Central Pacific Hurricane Center forecast Nolo to pass near or just south of the Big Island on Saturday, but said the track remained uncertain, with some computer-model paths crossing the island and most tracking south of it. The hurricane center forecast 15 to 30 inches of rain on the Big Island, with localized totals reaching 35 inches. It warned that the rainfall could cause life-threatening flooding and mudslides, particularly in steep terrain. Heavy rain was also expected to continue across the Big Island and Maui through the weekend, while lesser totals and isolated flooding were forecast elsewhere in Hawaii. The National Hurricane Center said Nolo became a hurricane Thursday and forecast hurricane conditions in parts of Hawaii beginning Friday night or Saturday. The Central Pacific Hurricane Center expected tropical-storm conditions on the Big Island from Friday night, with hurricane conditions possible Saturday.