NWS Issues Flood Watch for Hawaii Islands Ahead of Tropical Storm Nolo
The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a Flood Watch for several Hawaiian islands effective through Saturday afternoon. The alert is driven by deep moisture from Tropical Storm Nolo, which is expected to bring heavy rain and potential flash flooding.
The Flood Watch was issued on September 24 at 3:45 PM HST and remains in effect until September 26 at 6:00 PM HST. The affected regions include the Big Island, Maui, Lanai, Molokai, and Kahoolawe. Heavy showers are expected to begin over the Big Island and spread to Maui as the tropical cyclone moves through the area.
Windward and southeast Big Island, along with windward Maui, are most likely to experience heavy rainfall. The slow-moving nature of Tropical Storm Nolo creates the potential for considerable flooding across portions of the Big Island on Friday and Saturday, while other islands in Maui County also remain at risk.
Forecasted impacts include flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall, as well as the overflow of streams and drainage systems. Officials warn that runoff could cause property damage in urban or low-lying areas, road closures are possible, and landslides may occur in areas with steep terrain.