The FOX Forecast Center expects Tropical Storm Nolo to become a major hurricane by Saturday morning near Hawaii, though direct landfall is uncertain. A hurricane watch covers the Big Island, where rain could total 8–12 inches, with 19–24 inches possible on the east side.
The National Hurricane Center reported Nolo about 300 miles from South Point, Hawaii, with sustained winds of 40 mph and moving at 6 mph. Flood watches are in effect for the Big Island and Maui through Saturday. Localized rain totals could exceed 30 inches, while the FOX Forecast Center also expects wind gusts above 70 mph.
NOAA said life-threatening, catastrophic flooding and mudslides are possible as heavy rain is expected from Thursday through the weekend. Hurricane hunters were scheduled to fly into Nolo Thursday afternoon to gather more data about the storm and its potential impacts.
