Hurricane Nolo moved away from the Hawaiian Islands on September 27, 2026, leaving behind a trail of heavy rain, flash flood threats, and damaging winds as residents continued recovering from previous severe weather. According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center, the storm was located about 365 miles south-southwest of Honolulu and moving away from the Big Island at 12 mph, while maximum sustained winds increased to 115 mph.
Hawaii Prepares for Outer Bands and High Winds
The Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency maintained high wind warnings, wind advisories, and high surf advisories across parts of the island chain through Sunday evening. Forecasters reported that outer bands could produce up to 20 inches of rain on parts of the Big Island, creating severe flash flooding and mudslide risks. National Hurricane Center Director Michael Brennan urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel into hazardous flood zones and high-wind environments where downed trees and power lines posed ongoing dangers.
Heavy rainfall hit the southern part of the Big Island on Saturday afternoon, forcing partial closures on a primary highway connecting Kailua-Kona to Hilo. Near Naalehu, National Guard members assisted a motorist driving through flooded streets during a heavy downpour. Governor-issued emergency proclamations activated more than 120 National Guard members on the Big Island and roughly 400 statewide. The severe weather struck as communities continued recovering from Hurricane Lala, which previously swept about 100 homes off their foundations.
Relief Efforts and Pacific Storm Activity
President Donald Trump approved an emergency declaration authorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate assistance and funding support. Meanwhile, Hawaiian Electric recalled crews that had been assisting with power restoration on Kauai following Hurricane Lowell, sending them back to Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island to address Nolo’s impacts.
National Weather Service lead forecaster Bob Oravec noted that the Pacific hurricane season has experienced above-average activity, a pattern consistent with El Niño conditions that typically foster increased tropical storm development.
Major Hurricane Polo Threatens Mexico’s Baja California
As Nolo tracked away from Hawaii, parts of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula braced for the arrival of major Hurricane Polo. U.S. hurricane forecasters reported Sunday afternoon that Polo was a dangerous Category 3 hurricane with top sustained winds of 125 mph, moving north-northwest at 12 mph while centered about 275 miles south-southwest of Cabo San Lucas. Mexico’s National Meteorological Service, or SMN, stated on the social media platform X that the storm was expected to make landfall on the Baja peninsula on Monday.
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