3 hurricanes are churning in the Pacific as Nolo threatens Hawaii with 'catastrophic' flooding
· Yahoo NewsResidents in Hawaii have been told to prepare for hurricane conditions as Nolo intensified into a hurricane on Thursday, threatening Hawaii's Big Island with potentially catastrophic flooding.
Some areas of the Big Island are expected to see up to 35 inches of rain, with life-threatening flash flooding possible, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Nolo is one of three storms currently brewing in the Pacific.
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A second, the Category 5 Hurricane Polo, is off Mexico's Pacific coast and is expected to approach Baja California Sur on Monday, according to the NHC. A third storm, Hurricane Odalys, strengthened into a Category 3 storm but is churning over open water far from land.
Hurricane Nolo is expected to remain south of the Big Island through Saturday before turning west and moving away from the island, the NHC said. Tropical storm conditions are expected to begin on the Big Island on Friday night, with hurricane conditions possible Saturday, particularly in areas of steep terrain.
John Bravender, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Honolulu, said of the projected heavy rainfall, "That by itself could cause catastrophic flooding, but when you put that on top of grounds that we've been raining off and on for the last couple of months … that rain could cause even more damage."
In a video message on social media, Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda told residents, "This is a very serious situation. We do believe that the rain is going to come. It's coming already."
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Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE) said it is responding to the storms, providing tarps, headlamps, camp stoves, and other supplies critical for preparing people for possible destruction or displacement.
Activity in the Pacific Ocean is partly being fueled by a "supersized" El Niño climate pattern.
El Niño affects hurricane severity in both the Atlantic and the Pacific. This year's particularly powerful El Niño conditions, which the UN's World Meteorological Organization has said could become the strongest on record, have led to fewer hurricanes in the Atlantic (particularly the Caribbean) and more in the Pacific.
Weather changes fast. Get real-time alerts for your area on the new Yahoo Weather app.
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Here's the location, path and status of each of the storms:
Hurricane Nolo
The National Hurricane Center said Hurricane Nolo was expected to remain south of the Big Island through Saturday before turning west and moving away from the island. Residents were urged to follow the advice of local officials, including evacuating if told to do so.
As of 5 a.m. ET Friday:
- Nolo was located 240 miles south of South Point, Hawaii..
- It had maximum sustained winds of 80 mph.
- It was moving north-northeast at 5 mph.
Heavy rain is expected to increase in coverage and intensity on Friday and continue across the Big Island and Maui through the weekend. Some areas of the Big Island could see up to 35 inches of rain, and parts of Maui could get up to 15 inches. The rainfall could produce life-threatening, catastrophic flooding and mudslides, especially in steep terrain across the eastern and southern portions of both islands.
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A Hurricane Watch, meaning that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case, within 48 hours, is in effect for:
- Hawaii County
A Tropical Storm Warning, meaning that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours, is in effect for:
- Hawaii County
A Tropical Storm Watch, meaning that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours, is in effect for:
- Maui County
Large and damaging waves are likely along parts of the Big Island's coastline into the weekend. A tropical storm watch is in effect for Maui County, where tropical storm conditions are possible beginning Saturday.
Hurricane Polo
According to the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Polo regained Category 5 strength early Friday and is expected to approach Baja California Sur on Monday. Polo is expected to begin weakening by Saturday.
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As of 5 a.m. ET Friday:
- Polo was located about 250 miles south-southwest of Cabo Corrientes, Mexico.
- It had maximum sustained winds of 160 mph.
- It was moving west at 12 mph.
There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect, but interests in Baja California Sur were urged to monitor the storm.
Swells from Polo will continue to affect southwestern Mexico and spread toward west-central Mexico and Baja California Sur through the weekend, bringing life-threatening surf, rip currents and coastal flooding.
Hurricane Odalys
The National Hurricane Center said Hurricane Odalys strengthened into a Category 3 storm but posed no threat to land. There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.
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Odalys is expected to turn north over the next couple of days and gradually weaken heading into the weekend.
As of 5 a.m. ET Friday:
- Odalys was located about 985 miles west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.
- It had maximum sustained winds of 115 mph.
- It was moving northeast at 5 mph.