Hawaii residents faced continued risks from heavy rain and wind even as Hurricane Nolo pulled away from the islands on Sunday. At the same time, Hurricane Polo strengthened its path toward Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, where landfall was forecast for Monday. The simultaneous activity highlighted an unusually active Pacific season. ([1])
Persistent Dangers Near the Big Island
By early Sunday, Nolo sat roughly 260 miles southwest of Hawaii’s southernmost point and was tracking away at about 12 mph. Its maximum sustained winds had reached 105 mph. Officials kept high wind warnings, wind advisories and high surf advisories in place through Sunday evening for parts of the Big Island. Forecasters warned that outer bands could still deliver life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides. Rainfall totals on the Big Island could reach 20 inches in some areas, with heavy rain also possible on other islands. Michael Brennan, director of the National Hurricane Center, urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel because of flooding and the chance of downed trees and power lines.
Recovery Efforts Underway After Earlier Storms
The threats came as communities continued to recover from Hurricane Lala, which had swept about 100 homes off their foundations on the Big Island. More than 120 Hawaii Army National Guard members were activated on the island, part of roughly 400 statewide following an emergency proclamation by the governor. President Donald Trump approved a federal emergency declaration on Friday to support response efforts. On Maui, a brush fire near Olowalu prompted mandatory evacuations for some residents. Hawaiian Electric cut power to much of the area as a precaution. Crews that had been restoring service after Hurricane Lowell on Kauai were redirected to help on Oahu, Maui and the Big Island.
Polo Weakens Slightly but Remains a Threat
Farther east, Hurricane Polo moved toward the Baja California Peninsula at about 10 mph. The storm had weakened to Category 3 strength with sustained winds of 120 mph, down from a peak of 140 mph. Mexico’s National Meteorological Service expected landfall on Monday. The Mexican navy positioned personnel and humanitarian aid in the ports of Guaymas and Mazatlan. Three vessels stood ready to deliver supplies to communities that could become isolated. In the small fishing town of San Juanico, residents worried about washed-out roads that could cut off access to the nearest medical facility roughly 80 minutes away.
Local Concerns and Preparations
Gloriely Robles Meza, a manager at a small hotel in San Juanico, said the community had not faced such a worrying situation in many years. The Mexican Army arrived to set up a shelter, and an electrical crew worked to prepare the grid. The town has had full-time electricity for only a couple of years and still experiences frequent outages. National Weather Service lead forecaster Bob Oravec noted that Pacific storm activity this season has run above average during the peak of hurricane season, a pattern often seen in El Niño years. The dual threats underscored the need for vigilance across widely separated regions even as one storm began to recede.
AI Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI tools and reviewed by a human editor.