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Residents of the Big Island of Hawaii were bracing on Friday for the possibility of potentially life-threatening and catastrophic flooding from Hurricane Nolo, while Mexico remained under the threat of Hurricane Polo, which was headed toward the Baja California Peninsula after bringing storm conditions to the country's southwest coast.
Nolo was about 338 kilometers (210 miles) south of the Big Island on Friday morning and was moving toward the northeast, with tropical storm conditions expected to begin on land by the evening, reported the U.S. National Hurricane Center.
Meteorologists warned that the eastern and southern areas of the island could see rainfall accumulations of between 25 to 38 centimeters (10 to 15 inches), with a maximum of 64 centimeters (25 inches). These figures are lower than previously forecast, which estimated between 38 to 76 centimeters (15 and 30 inches), with a maximum of 89 centimeters (35 inches). Maximum winds on land are expected to reach up to 64 km/h (40 mph), with gusts of up to 80 km/h (50 mph).
Nolo is expected to intensify into a major hurricane on Saturday.
“The downpour could produce life-threatening, catastrophic flooding and mudslides, especially in areas with steep terrain,” the hurricane center noted.
Although Nolo was not forecast to make direct landfall on the islands, heavy rain was also possible on the other Hawaiian islands, the hurricane center indicated. Maui could also see heavy rain and potentially life-threatening flooding and mudslides, meteorologists warned.
The hurricane's maximum sustained winds were 137 km/h (85 mph) Friday morning and are expected to increase over the weekend.
Hawaii prepares for possible hit from northern tip of Nolo
Hawaii authorities urged residents to gather emergency kits, and the governor issued an emergency proclamation, activating more than 230 members of the Hawaii National Guard. Schools were closed for the remainder of the week.
It is likely that Nolo's heaviest rain will fall over the same region of the southeast Big Island that was battered in August by Hurricane Lala and where the ground remains saturated from additional rainfall.
Hawaiian Electric, the state's main utility company, reported that crews that had been helping to restore power on Kauai following this month's Hurricane Lowell will return to Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island to prepare for the approaching storm.
Residents and tourists on the Big Island were busy preparing.
“I guess that will be my concern: whether we're going to get out of here or not, but, you know, as far as the weather goes, it is what it is,” commented Daniel Compton, who was visiting from Seattle.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green requested an emergency disaster declaration on Wednesday for four of the state's counties. The request is pending approval from President Donald Trump. Such approval will provide access to federal funds and assistance to cover immediate needs, such as emergency services and debris removal.
Polo strengthens after regaining Category 5 intensity
The hurricane center indicated that Polo gained significant strength overnight into Friday morning, when maximum sustained winds were estimated at 290 km/h (180 mph). It remained offshore off the western coast of Mexico, heading west, but is expected to turn north and reach the Baja California Peninsula between Sunday night and Monday, the center indicated.
No major damage or flooding was reported along the coast overnight into Friday morning, although some localities in Colima and Michoacán were affected by tides.
Residents piled up sandbags to reinforce beachside businesses and evacuated their homes in some coastal areas on Thursday. Mexican authorities were opening shelters and moving people off beaches, and 15,000 security personnel were deployed along the coast. Schools were closed.
In the port city of Lázaro Cárdenas, Michoacán, seawater had already surged into homes on Thursday, leaving wooden planks and furniture scattered in the streets. Inhabitants and authorities cleared heaps of wooden boards from several destroyed structures and shoveled the thick mud that covered much of the town.
Alicia Contreras said the walls and roof of her restaurant had been severely damaged by 4.5-meter (15-foot) waves. As agents and family members helped sift through the damage to the home, Contreras worried about how she would recover financially.
“This is huge because we don't have another source of income. Right now we are just surviving,” lamented Contreras.
Severe storms recorded during El Niño weather phenomenon
El Niño is causing significant environmental changes around the world, fueling drought in some areas and flooding in others. It traditionally dampens the Atlantic hurricane season, but tends to intensify tropical cyclone activity in the Pacific with moist air and low wind shear.
A third storm in the Pacific, Hurricane Odalys, was at Category 4 and was still far from land, approximately 1,537 kilometers (955 miles) west-southwest of the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula. It had maximum sustained winds of 215 km/h (130 mph) and was moving northward. It could intensify by Friday night.
Two other powerful storms were swirling in the Atlantic Ocean, but were not near land.
In the North Atlantic, Tropical Storm Fay reconstituted early Thursday. As of Friday, it was about 1,674 kilometers (1,040 miles) west-southwest of the Azores, the hurricane center reported.
Off the western coast of Africa, Tropical Storm Gonzalo strengthened early Friday as it approached the Cape Verde islands, with maximum sustained winds of 85 km/h (50 mph). The center was expected to pass near or over parts of the islands later Friday and to weaken gradually over the weekend.
[Publicidad]