Hurricane Nolo is moving away from Hawaii, while the threat of flash flooding and strong winds remains, and Mexico watches Hurricane Polo’s approach to Baja.
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Hurricane Nolo was moving away from the Hawaiian Islands on Sunday, but forecasters said the danger from heavy rain, flash flooding and strong winds continued for parts of the islands as residents recover from earlier storms.
By early Sunday, Nolo was reported to be about 260 miles (418 kilometres) southwest of Hawaii’s southernmost point and moving away from the Big Island at roughly 12 mph (19 kph). The storm’s maximum sustained winds were reported near 105 mph (165 kph), even as it tracked farther from land.
The Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency said multiple alerts remained in effect through Sunday evening, including a high wind warning, a wind advisory and a high surf advisory for portions of the Big Island.
Nolo was expected to continue strengthening and turn toward the northwest by Sunday night, with the National Hurricane Center reporting that the storm’s center would remain well south and southwest of the Hawaiian Islands.
Despite the forecast track keeping the centre offshore, forecasters warned that Nolo’s outer bands could still produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides. Parts of the Big Island were expected to see rainfall totals up to 20 inches (51 centimetres).
Michael Brennan, director of the National Hurricane Center, warned residents against venturing into what he described as dangerous flooding conditions and high winds, noting that trees and power lines could come down as the storm impacts persist.
Heavy rain had already fallen across the southern part of the Big Island on Saturday afternoon, leading to partial closures of a major highway connecting Kailua-Kona in the west to Hilo in the east.
Near Naalehu at the island’s southern point, National Guard members were seen assisting a man driving through flooded streets as he tried to leave his home during the heavy downpour.
More than 120 Guard members were activated on the Big Island, part of about 400 statewide after the governor issued an emergency proclamation, reflecting how the storm response is being layered on top of recovery efforts.
The islands were still dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Lala, which had produced heavy rain and winds strong enough to sweep about 100 homes off their foundations on the Big Island, heightening concerns about further disruption and safety risks.
While conditions deteriorated, some residents continued pre-storm routines or remained hopeful, including a report of people in the water Saturday morning at Carlsmith Beach Park in Hilo despite posted closure signs.
Shop owners and other businesses boarded up property, and events were cancelled, as residents prepared for additional weather impacts.
Nolo’s broader hazards also intersected with ongoing relief and restoration operations. President Donald Trump approved an emergency declaration Friday, authorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate assistance and provide funding support.
Separately, Hawaiian Electric said crews working to restore power in Kauai were responding after this month’s Hurricane Lowell affected Oahu, Maui and the Big Island, linking the utility’s restoration work to the continuing strain of multiple storms.
Beyond Hawaii, a second system drew attention across the Pacific. Mexico faced the threat of Hurricane Polo, which had moved toward the Baja California Peninsula after bringing storm conditions to the southwestern coast.
By Sunday, Mexico’s National Meteorological Service reported that Polo had weakened to a Category 3 hurricane and was travelling toward the peninsula at about 10 mph (16 kph), with expected landfall Monday.
The service also reported that Polo’s sustained winds were 120 mph (195 kph), down from a peak of 140 mph (220 kph). The Mexican navy said it had gathered personnel and humanitarian aid in ports including Guaymas and Mazatlán and deployed three vessels that could transport aid to coastal communities isolated by the hurricane.
One town in the projected path described in the available material was San Juanico, a small fishing community on Baja’s Pacific coast where access to basics was reported as already difficult. The town was described as having full-time electricity only for a couple of years, frequent power outages and fuel storage and sales from tanks when supply runs out.
Concern was also directed at the possibility that washed-out roads could block access to a medical facility reportedly about 80 minutes away in Ciudad Constitución.
Local preparations were described as involving the Mexican Army arriving to prepare a shelter and provide support, along with an electrical crew preparing for Polo’s arrival.
In a wider regional context, the National Weather Service lead forecaster Bob Oravec said storm activity is running above average during what is already the peak of hurricane season, a pattern he said is consistent with El Niño years when the Pacific often sees more tropical storms and hurricanes.
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