Hurricane Nolo Threatens Hawaii with Flooding as Another Storm Brews Off Mexico

Hawaii is bracing for potential flash floods and high winds as Hurricane Nolo churns south of the Big Island, even as the islands continue to recover from recent storms. Nolo, with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph Saturday, is expected to bring up to 20 inches of rain to parts of the Big Island and up to 25 inches to its eastern and southern portions. President Trump approved an emergency declaration for Hawaii Friday, authorizing federal assistance. Officials have urged residents to prepare emergency kits and activated hundreds of National Guard members, while Hawaiian Electric has repositioned crews to prepare for potential power outages. The storm comes less than a month after Hurricane Lala swept about 100 homes off their foundations on the Big Island and shortly after Hurricane Lowell impacted Kauai and Niihau.

Meanwhile, Hurricane Polo is threatening Mexico’s Baja California peninsula with winds of 155 mph, raising concerns in communities like San Juanico, which has limited access to basic needs and recently gained consistent electricity. Residents fear the storm could disrupt power and access to refrigerated food and water. The Pacific Ocean is experiencing an unusually active hurricane season.

While Nolo weakened slightly to a Category 1 storm Saturday, forecasters predict it could re-strengthen into a major hurricane Sunday and Monday before weakening next week. Hurricane-force winds extend up to 35 miles from Nolo’s core, and tropical storm-force winds reach 150 miles. A tropical storm warning is in effect for Hawaii County, and a tropical storm watch for Maui County. All state parks on the Big Island and Maui will be closed.

Where they differ

• CBS News specifically noted Nolo weakened to a Category 1 storm Saturday, while other sources focused more on the potential for re-strengthening.
• The Washington Times and Guardian both led with the immediate threat to the Hawaiian Islands, while PBS NewsHour focused on the expected impacts.
• CBS News provided the most detailed forecast of rainfall amounts for different parts of the Big Island and Maui.
• The Guardian highlighted the ongoing recovery from Hurricane Lala, emphasizing the vulnerability of communities still rebuilding.

What is not yet known

• The long-term impacts of the storms on Hawaii's infrastructure and economy remain unclear.
• The extent of damage and disruption caused by Hurricane Polo in Mexico is currently unknown, as the storm has not yet made landfall.

Background

• Hawaii recently experienced Hurricane Lala, which caused flooding and damage to approximately 100 homes on the Big Island [Fact Refinery, 2026-08-16].
• Tropical Storm Moke impacted Hawaii shortly after Hurricane Lala, bringing the threat of additional rainfall and exacerbating existing flood risks [Fact Refinery, 2026-08-22].
• The Pacific Ocean is currently experiencing an unusually active hurricane season, concurrent with a record-setting El Niño which amplifies extreme weather globally [Fact Refinery, 2026-09-25].
• A Category 1 hurricane is defined as having maximum sustained winds of 75-95 mph [background knowledge].

Our reading

Our reading is that Hawaii is facing a compounding disaster scenario, with multiple storms impacting the islands in quick succession. The article highlights not only the immediate threat of Hurricane Nolo, but also the vulnerability of communities still recovering from previous storms like Lala and Moke. The simultaneous threat of Hurricane Polo to Mexico underscores a broader pattern of increased activity in the Pacific hurricane season.

What to watch

• The re-strengthening of Hurricane Nolo on Sunday and Monday, as predicted by forecasters, to determine if it reaches major hurricane status [CBS News, 2026-09-25].
• Reports of damage and disruption from Hurricane Polo in Mexico following landfall, to assess the extent of the impact on communities like San Juanico [article text].
• The official rainfall totals reported for the Big Island and Maui following Hurricane Nolo, to verify the accuracy of the forecasted 20-25 inches [CBS News, 2026-09-25].

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