President Donald Trump approved Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green’s request for a pre-landfall presidential emergency declaration ahead of possible impacts from Hurricane Nolo.
The 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.
“Protecting the people of Hawaiʻi is our highest priority and this approval gives our state and counties the additional federal support needed to act before conditions deteriorate,” said Green. “Hurricane Nolo threatens to bring dangerous flooding, mudslides, damaging waves and disruptions to critical infrastructure, particularly on Hawaiʻi Island and Maui. … I urge residents and visitors to take this threat seriously, follow official guidance and be ready to shelter in place or evacuate if directed.”
The federal declaration supports the following emergency protective activities:
- Incident management assistance, including deployment of federal incident management personnel to support the state emergency operations center and Hawaiʻi County emergency operations center in Hilo.
- Federal search-and-rescue capabilities, including swift water and flood rescue teams, equipment, transportation as well as communications support.
- Large-capacity generators, fuel, installation and sustainment support for hospitals, water systems, communications facilities and other critical services.
- Technical and logistical assistance for emergency electrical grid restoration.
- Emergency debris clearance and removal, including temporary emergency access measures along Highway 11 through Kaʻū on the Big Island and other areas where conditions threaten life, public safety, critical facilities or response operations.
- Disaster mortuary assistance to support ongoing human remains recovery operations at Nāʻālehu Cemetery following Hurricane Lala.
- Transportation, communications, fuel, water, meals and other logistical support needed to sustain emergency response missions.
“Hawaiʻi is facing this storm while continuing response and recovery operations from several prior disasters,” Green said. “The federal declaration will help us protect lives, maintain access to essential services, support our first responders and preserve the state’s capacity to continue ongoing recovery work.”
National Weather Service forecasters expect Nolo to strengthen into a Category 3 hurricane Saturday as it makes its closest approach to Hawaiʻi Island. A hurricane watch, tropical storm warning, flood watch and high surf advisory remain in effect for the Big Island.
Forecasters predict that up to 25 inches of rain could fall Friday and Saturday on the island, with the potential to cause catastrophic, life-threatening flooding. Heavy rains are also predicted through the weekend, though in lesser amounts, on Maui as a tropical storm watch remains in effect.
A combination of dangerous storm surge and tide will likely cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline.
The state emergency operations center remains at full activation, with 24-hour staffing.
State and county agencies are coordinating public warnings, evacuation messaging, shelter planning, flood-channel clearance, emergency road access, search-and-rescue readiness, healthcare preparedness, backup power, debris clearance and protection of critical facilities.
Residents should monitor official information from National Weather Service, Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency, county emergency management agencies and local officials.
Those in threatened areas should review evacuation routes, secure property, prepare emergency supplies and be prepared to act quickly if evacuation or shelter instructions are issued.
The state will continue coordinating with Federal Emergency Management Agency Region IX, affected counties, utilities, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other federal and local partners as forecast and operational requirements evolve.
Members of the public also should monitor official state and county websites, Hawai‘i Emergency Management website (ready.hawaii.gov) and social media of government agencies for updates.
