Governor requests federal disaster declaration for four counties
Hurricane Nolo is expected to bring potentially life-threatening and catastrophic flooding to Hawaii on Friday, arriving as remote communities on the Big Island continue to rebuild from Hurricane Lala, which struck in August and destroyed homes, washed away roads, and left neighborhoods without power. Forecasters expect Nolo to bring the heaviest rainfall to an area hit hard by the August storm, where some residents remain displaced.
The US National Hurricane Center said the rainfall could produce “catastrophic life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain.” As of Friday morning, Nolo was just over 200 miles south of the Big Island and expected to track north-east, bringing tropical storm conditions by Friday evening before strengthening to a major hurricane on Saturday. The storm is forecast to move west on Saturday and not directly hit the islands, but forecasters said it would still cause heavy rainfall and large, damaging waves along the coast.
Hawaii has activated more than 230 national guard members and closed schools ahead of the storm. The state’s emergency management agency has advised residents and visitors to review emergency plans, ensure supplies are ready, prepare properties for flooding, high winds, and power outages, and consider evacuating to safer areas.
Governor Josh Green this week requested an emergency disaster declaration for four Hawaii counties in order to access federal funds and emergency support. The request awaits approval from President Donald Trump.
Residents still grappling with the effects of the August storm told Honolulu Civil Beat they remained on edge about the new bout of bad weather.
“We’re slowly starting to rebuild, but now it’s almost like if this storm hits, it’ll smash us back down,” Troy Gacayan, a high school teacher and pastor, told the outlet.
Tourists also prepared for the storm’s approach. “I guess that’d be my concern – whether we’re getting out of here or not, but, you know, as far as the weather goes, it is what it is,” said Daniel Compton, who was visiting from Seattle.
In remarks to Congress earlier this week, Hawaii Senator Brian Schatz lamented the destruction on the islands and pointed to the climate crisis as a driver of the mounting disaster toll.
“There is a reason these destructive disasters are piling up one after another, leaving communities exhausted and governments depleted. It is the warming planet,” Schatz said, urging the United States to reduce pollution, increase clean energy, and help communities prepare for worsening disasters.
The Associated Press contributed reporting.