Nolo Forms, Bringing Hurricane Watch for Hawaiʻi Big Island

Tropical Storm Nolo formed south of Hawaiʻi on Wednesday, prompting a hurricane watch for the Big Island as forecasters warned of potentially severe rain and flooding. The storm’s path and strength remain uncertain, and the forecasts describe possible impacts rather than damage already observed. At 11 a.m. Wednesday, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center placed Nolo about 310 miles south of South Point, moving west-northwest at 6 mph with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph. The center forecast a turn north and then north-northeast, with Nolo potentially making its closest approach to the Big Island Friday or Saturday. It said the storm could strengthen into a hurricane Thursday and might reach major hurricane strength by the weekend. The hurricane watch is in effect for the Big Island, which is part of Hawaiʻi County. The hurricane center forecast 15 to 20 inches of rain there, with isolated totals as high as 35 inches. It warned that heavy rain could cause life-threatening flooding and mudslides, particularly in steep terrain. Large, damaging waves are also possible along the island’s coast. The forecast does not establish how close Nolo will pass or how strong it will become.