Updated

Hurricane Nolo strengthened and moved toward Hawaii, threatening life-threatening and potentially catastrophic flooding, heavy rain and large waves as it passed roughly 150 miles south of the Big Island. Hawaii activated more than 230 National Guard members and closed schools ahead of the storm, which struck communities still recovering from earlier storms Lala (August) and Lowell (early September) that had already flooded homes, downed trees and toppled power lines. Nolo is the third major tropical system to threaten the islands in recent months, part of a record-setting Pacific hurricane season linked to a supercharged El Niño and unusually warm ocean waters. Forecasters noted Nolo was expected to move west on Saturday without a direct hit, but the risk of flash flooding remained high given saturated ground from prior storms. The event forms part of a broader pattern of three simultaneous Pacific hurricanes (alongside Polo and Odalys) during an unusually active season.