09/24/2026
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TROPICAL STORM NOLO STRENGTHENING — HAWAIʻI ISLAND & MAUI COUNTY SHOULD BE PREPARED
5:00 AM HST | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
Tropical Storm Nolo continues to strengthen south of Hawaiʻi, and the threat of significant impacts to Hawaiʻi Island and Maui County is becoming increasingly serious.
As of 5:00 a.m., the center of Nolo was located approximately 285 miles south of South Point on Hawaiʻi Island.
Maximum sustained winds have increased to 60 mph with higher gusts.
Nolo is currently nearly stationary, but is expected to begin moving north or north-northeast later today through Friday before making a sharp turn toward the west near Hawaiʻi Island on Saturday.
Nolo is forecast to become a HURRICANE by tonight and could strengthen further as it approaches the islands.
A HURRICANE WATCH remains in effect for HAWAIʻI COUNTY.
Hurricane conditions are possible on Hawaiʻi Island beginning as early as Friday night.
HAWAIʻI ISLAND:
The Big Island remains at greatest risk from Nolo.
Heavy rainfall could begin later TODAY and intensify considerably as Nolo approaches. Significant flash flooding, landslides, dangerous surf and damaging winds are possible.
Residents should be prepared for the possibility of prolonged power and communication outages, blocked roads and communities becoming temporarily isolated by flooding or landslides.
MAUI COUNTY:
Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi also need to take this storm seriously.
A FLOOD WATCH remains in effect, and the potential exists for significant rainfall and flash flooding as moisture associated with Nolo spreads northward.
Depending on Nolo’s exact track and how quickly it makes its anticipated turn toward the west, Maui County could experience heavy rainfall, strong and potentially damaging winds, dangerous surf, downed trees and power outages.
State parks, forest lands, hiking trails and camping areas on Maui and Molokaʻi are scheduled to CLOSE beginning Friday because of the anticipated storm impacts.
One of the biggest concerns with Nolo is RAINFALL.
Even if the center of the hurricane does not cross directly over an island, Nolo’s moisture could produce significant to extreme flash flooding. Do not focus solely on the forecast track or the exact location of the center.
WHAT RESIDENTS SHOULD DO TODAY:
Use TODAY to finish storm preparations.
Secure outdoor furniture and loose objects.
Charge phones, battery packs and backup power supplies.
Fuel vehicles and generators.
Make sure you have food, drinking water and necessary medications.
Avoid unnecessary travel once conditions begin deteriorating.
Know whether your home or neighborhood is vulnerable to flooding, landslides or falling trees.
Residents near streams, low-lying areas and flood-prone roads should be especially alert.
Nolo is now a strengthening tropical storm with 60 mph winds and is expected to become a hurricane tonight.
For Hawaiʻi Island, the window for preparation is getting shorter.
For Maui County, this is NOT a storm to ignore simply because the current forecast track places the center closer to the Big Island. Relatively small changes in Nolo’s track could significantly change the impacts we experience.
Maui 24/7 will continue monitoring Nolo around the clock and will provide updates as new advisories, watches and warnings are issued.
Stay informed. Prepare now. Take care of each other.
