Tropical Cyclone Local Statement

HLSHFO

This product covers the Hawaiian islands

**NOLO REMAINS NEARLY STATIONARY SOUTH OF THE BIG ISLAND**

NEW INFORMATION ---------------

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch are in effect for Big Island East, Big Island Interior, Big Island North, Big Island South, Big Island Southeast, Big Island Summits, Kohala, and Kona - A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Haleakala Summit, Kahoolawe, Kipahulu, Lanai Leeward, Lanai Mauka, Lanai South, Lanai Windward, Maui Central Valley North, Maui Central Valley South, Maui Leeward West, Maui Windward West, Molokai Leeward South, Molokai North, Molokai Southeast, Molokai West, Molokai Windward, South Haleakala, South Maui/Upcountry, and Windward Haleakala

* STORM INFORMATION: - About 340 miles south-southeast of Honolulu or about 200 miles south of Hilo - 16.9N 155.5W - Storm Intensity 105 mph - Movement Stationary

SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------

Nearly stationary, Hurricane Nolo is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane as it turns westward and accelerates later today and Sunday. Nolo is forecast to track northward early next week and weaken. While the center will stay well south and west of the state, impacts will extend far outside the center of Nolo.

Bands of intense showers and thunderstorms will bring an additional 6 to 8 inches of rainfall with localized higher amounts of 10 inches to windward and southeast portions of the Big Island. This heavy rainfall will cause significant, life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides, particularly in areas of steep terrain. Isolated heavy rain will spread to Maui, bringing an additional 1 to 2 inches of rainfall with locally higher amounts of 4 inches possible, especially over steep terrain. Terrain-enhanced rainfall from outer rain bands may also reach the rest of the state.

Tropical storm force winds and gusts continue across the Big Island, and may reach hurricane strength today, especially over complex terrain. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Maui County, where tropical storm force winds and gusts are occurring due to terrain enhancements. Strong, gusty winds will affect all Hawaiian Islands through the weekend, and a Wind Advisory is now in effect for the remaining Hawaiian Islands.

Swells generated by Nolo will bring dangerously large, rough surf and severe rip currents, especially for southeast and east facing shores of Big Island and Maui. A High Surf Advisory remains in effect for southeast and east facing shores of Big Island and Maui as well as east facing shores of Molokai, Kauai and Oahu.

Tornadoes and waterspouts are possible near and over the Big Island, primarily to the right of the track of Nolo.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS -----------------

* FLOODING RAIN: Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across windward and southeast Big Island. Remain well guarded against dangerous flood waters having possible significant impacts. If realized, these impacts include: - Moderate rainfall flooding may prompt several evacuations and rescues. - Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swifter currents and overspill their banks in a few places, especially in usually vulnerable spots. Small streams, creeks, canals, arroyos, and ditches overflow. - Flood waters can enter some structures or weaken foundations. Several places may experience expanded areas of rapid inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Some streets and parking lots take on moving water as storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions become hazardous. Some road and bridge closures.

Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across windward and southeast Big Island and portions of Maui. Remain well guarded against locally hazardous flood waters having possible limited impacts.

* WIND: Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across Big Island and Maui. Remain well sheltered from dangerous wind having possible significant impacts. If realized, these impacts include: - Some damage to roofing and siding materials, along with damage to porches, awnings, carports, and sheds. A few buildings experiencing window, door, and garage door failures. Mobile homes damaged, especially if unanchored. Unsecured lightweight objects become dangerous projectiles. - Several large trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Several fences and roadway signs blown over. - Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. A few bridges, causeways, and access routes impassable. - Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent in areas with above ground lines.

Potential indirect impacts from the main wind event are also now unfolding across the rest of the state. Remain well sheltered from hazardous wind having possible limited impacts.

* SURGE: Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across southeast Big Island. Remain well away from locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts. If realized, these impacts include: - Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore. - Sections of near-shore roads and parking lots become overspread with surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places where surge water covers the road. - Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainly in usually vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents. - Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings.

Elsewhere across the Hawaiian islands, little to no impact is anticipated.

* TORNADOES: Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across Big Island. Remain well braced against a tornado event having possible limited impacts. If realized, these impacts include: - The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events. - A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power and communications disruptions. - Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings, chimneys toppled, mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned, large tree tops and branches snapped off, shallow-rooted trees knocked over, moving vehicles blown off roads, and small boats pulled from moorings.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ----------------------------------

* EVACUATIONS: Follow the advice of local officials

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to stay inside and away from windows. Listen for updates and be ready in case you lose electrical power. Keep a battery- powered radio, charged cell phone and flashlight handy.

During the peak of the storm be ready to move quickly. Keep your shoes on and rain gear handy. Boots and athletic shoes offer the best foot protection if you become unexpectedly exposed to the weather.

Keep your cell phone charged and in power-saving mode. If you lose power, use it sparingly and mainly for personal emergencies and check-ins.

Do not venture outside while in the eye of a hurricane as any improvement in weather will only be temporary. Once the eye passes, conditions will become life threatening as winds immediately return to dangerous speeds, so remain safely sheltered from the storm.

Do not be a thrill seeker or risk your life for senseless photos or videos.

Quickly move to the safest place within your shelter if it begins to fail, preferably an interior room on the lowest floor as long as flooding is not a concern.

If you are prone to flooding or in an area under a storm surge watch or warning, be prepared for the possibility of a quick and dramatic rise in water levels.

If a tornado warning is issued for your area, quickly move to the safest place within your shelter. Protect your head and body.

If an Extreme Wind Warning is issued for your area, move to the safest place within your shelter. Take the same life-saving actions as if it were a violent tornado.

* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION: - For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov - For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org - For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org

NEXT UPDATE -----------

The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Honolulu HI around 11 AM HST, or sooner if conditions warrant.