Hurricane Tracker

Hawaiʻi County is accepting damage reports, public schools are reopening, and Highway 250 remains closed due to high winds.

Hurricane Nolo is 400 miles west of Honolulu and is now a category 4 hurricane.

Waves of 12 to 16 feet are forecast through Saturday night along those shores and then breakers of 9 to 12 feet are forecast from Sunday morning through Sunday night for the same shorelines as well as east-facing shores, causing need for high surf advisory.

A general northward motion, with a decrease in speed, is expected to continue through Friday night before the hurricane takes a sharp westward turn and picks up speed Saturday and Sunday, still forecast to be a major hurricane by then.

However, saturated ground conditions from recent rainfall continue to increase the risk of falling trees and vegetation-related damage to electrical equipment — even in areas not experiencing the strongest winds.

Declaration provides federal assistance for emergency protective measures in the City and County of Honolulu as well as Hawaiʻi, Maui and Kauaʻi counties, including direct federal assistance, at a 75% federal cost share.

The tracker provides observations intended to offer a straightforward way for residents, emergency managers, researchers, media and others to monitor observed rainfall and wind conditions as Hurricane Nolo approaches and moves through Hawaiʻi.

Hawaiʻi Animal Kuleana Alliance, HOPE Services and Nā‘ālehu Resilience Hub each receive $10,000 from foundation to provide food, water, emergency supplies and more for residents and animals before the next storm strikes.

Expected to become a major hurricane by this weekend and pass near or just south of the Big Island on Saturday, with tropical storm conditions expected to begin Friday night and hurricane conditions possible Saturday.

Nolo is forecast to become a hurricane by Thursday night and could become a major hurricane by the weekend as it approaches the Big Island.

Damaging tropical storm force winds reaching the Big Island as early as Friday morning and dangerous hurricane force winds possible by Friday night; bands of intense showers and thunderstorms, even possible tornadoes, associated with the storm arrive as early as Thursday.

Shelters in Keaʻau, Nāʻālehu, Pāhala and Captain Cook will open at 6 p.m. today for anyone seeking safe refuge from the approaching storm; shuttle bus from Nāʻālehu to Pāhala shelters also will be provided.

As of Tuesday morning, it is 230 miles north-northwest of Līhu‘e. 

The tropical cyclone does not as of now present an immediate threat to the state; Hawai’i County Civil Defense encourages residents and businesses to review and develop preparedness plans, especially with an above-average hurricane season predicted.

Tropical depression Moke was 515 miles east of Johnston Island, an atoll about 843 nautical miles southwest of Hilo, as of the 11 a.m. Monday advisory by the National Hurricane Center.

Moke has weakened to a tropical depression with sustained winds of 35 mph as it moves further away from the Big Island in a westerly motion.

Storm weakened slightly Saturday afternoon; however, it is still forecast to bring heavy rainfall and gusty enhanced trade winds to the Big Island beginning overnight and through Sunday; lower amounts of rain expected throughout remainder of the islands as Moke is expected to pass well to their south.

Flood watch will be in effect from late Saturday night through Monday afternoon as Moke is expected to bring total rainfall of 5 to 10 inches, with maximum amounts of 15 inches, to windward and southeast parts of the island, including those hard-hit a week ago by Hurricane Lala.

Hawaiʻi Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Insurance Division encourages residents to take steps now to make filing insurance claims easier after damage from any heavy rainfall and flooding occurs.

All the information visitors need to track the tropical cyclone — which is expected to become a Category 1 hurricane as it nears the Big Island — and stay safe from the forecast hazards.