Nolo Pulls Away From Hawaii but Flood and Mudslide Risks Persist

Hurricane Nolo moved west from Hawaii after bringing heavy rain, strong winds and dangerous surf, and forecasters warned that saturated ground could keep flooding and mudslides possible. More than 12 inches of rain fell on the Big Island, with additional rainfall expected. Nolo is projected to strengthen into a major hurricane over warmer water south of the islands.

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Nolo had stalled for hours Saturday before drifting west at roughly 9 mph. Although watches and warnings ended, high wind alerts stayed for parts of the Big Island and Maui County, where gusts may hit 75 mph. Big Island rainfall already exceeded 12 inches, with another 1 to 4 inches possible, pushing some totals toward 20 inches; Maui could add about 2 inches, reaching roughly 8 inches in spots.

Forecasters said flood and mudslide danger can extend past the heaviest rain zones, as water and debris move downhill. Nolo is predicted to intensify over warmer water south of Hawaii, potentially becoming a major hurricane with winds of at least 111 mph. Such proximity is rare: only Hurricane Dot in 1959 tracked within 150 miles of the Big Island as a major storm, and Nolo is the fourth tropical system to affect Hawaii this season.

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