President Trump approves emergency declaration in advance of Hurricane Nolo’s arrival in isles

The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced today that President Trump has approved federal disaster assistance for the state of Hawaiʻi  beginning last Wednesday for impacts from Hurricane Nolo.

As of 5:20 p.m. today, the National Weather Service reported Nolo was about 350 miles south-southeast of Honolulu, or about 200 miles south of Hilo (16.9N 155.3W). Winds in the eye of the storm were clocked at 105 mph. The storm continued moving north, at 10 degrees, at 3 mph.

Hawaii Electric reported that, as of 3:30 p.m. today, there are no major outages on Hawaiʻi Island, Maui County or Oʻahu. “However, saturated ground conditions from recent rainfall continue to increase the risk of falling trees and vegetation-related damage to electrical equipment, even in areas not experiencing the strongest winds,” the utility said.

The president’s action, at the request of Gov. Josh Green, authorizes the federal emergency agency to coordinate all disaster relief efforts for the state to “alleviate the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population.” The agency also can take appropriate action to save lives, protect public health and safety and avert the threat of catastrophe.

The presidents approval of federal assistance is for all four major counties in the state, and the agency is authorized to identify, mobilize and provide, at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance under the Public Assistance program, will be provided at 75% federal funding.

Hirokazu Toiya has been named the coordinating officer for federal response operations in disaster-impacted areas. Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments, FEMA officials said.

“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,” Green said. “Hurricane Nolo threatens to bring dangerous flooding, mudslides, damaging waves and disruptions to critical infrastructure, particularly on Hawaiʻi Island and Maui. We are grateful to President Trump, FEMA and our federal partners for responding quickly and helping us prepare. I urge residents and visitors to take this threat seriously, follow official guidance and be ready to shelter in place or evacuate if directed.”

National Weather Service forecasters expect Hurricane Nolo to strengthen into a Category 3 hurricane as it makes its closest approach to Hawaiʻi Island on Saturday. They continue to predict a sharp turn west on Saturday. A hurricane watch is in effect for Hawaiʻi Island, where hurricane conditions are possible within 24 to 36 hours.

Forecasters predict that up to 25 inches of rain could fall on Hawaiʻi Island today and Saturday, causing catastrophic, life-threatening flooding.

On Maui, a tropical storm watch is in effect, meaning that tropical-storm-force winds are possible within 36 to 48 hours, although forecasters also said that the earliest reasonable time of arrival for tropical storm force winds is predawn Saturday for Maui County.

Additional rainfall amounts of 4 to 8 inches are possible on the Valley Isle, with localized higher amounts of 15 inches, according to weather forecasters. Outer rain bands associated with Nolo could reach the other smaller islands, and would be enhanced by the terrain.

The weather service also advises that a combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will likely cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. 

The federal emergency declaration supports emergency protective activities, including:

• Incident-management assistance, including deployment of federal incident-management personnel to support the State Emergency Operations Center and the County of Hawaiʻi 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 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 Tropical Cyclone 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.”

The State Emergency Operations Center remains at Level 1, 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 the National Weather Service, Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency, county emergency management agencies and local officials. Residents in low-lying and 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 FEMA Region IX, the affected counties, utilities, the US Coast Guard, the US Army Corps of Engineers and other federal and local partners as the forecast and operational requirements evolve. 

The public should monitor official state and county websites, ready.hawaii.gov and government agencies’ social media channels for updates. 

Meanwhile, the Salvation Army in Hawai‘i and Maui County is anticipating activation to provide community feeding operations at county-run emergency shelters.

“The sheer repetition of severe storms that have inundated Hawai’i in a matter of weeks is matched only by the resiliency of the inspiring people we’ve had the honor to serve, who time after time have risen up to help a neighbor and navigate the uncertainties of these disasters,” said Maj. Troy Trimmer, divisional commander of The Salvation Army Hawaiian & Pacific Islands Division. “While the need is growing exponentially with each new stormfront to reach our shores, so too is our readiness to bring relief and advance the recovery of our communities.”

Beginning this evening, The Salvation Army’s Hilo Overnight Safe Space, regularly serving houseless members of the community, will temporarily relocate to Hilo High School—a location designated by Hawai‘i County to help weather the anticipated hazardous conditions. The safe space shelter guests will continue to be served by officers, staff, and volunteers of The Salvation Army’s Hilo Temple Corps who are familiar with the specialized needs and vulnerabilities of their clients. The State Department of Health will also provide care support, and the Hawaiʻi Animal Kuleana Alliance is generously bringing kennels and pet supplies for many of the Hilo Overnight Safe Space guests seeking shelter with their pets.

“We are grateful to the County and our friends at HAKA in helping us ensure that the care of our Overnight Safe Space clients goes on uninterrupted in the face of these challenging times,” said Capt. Felicia LeMar, who serves with Capt. Sam LeMar as Hawaiʻi County coordinators in addition to their roles as Hilo Temple Corps officers. “Together, we are providing a place for those who are houseless to not only ride out the storm, but to feel the community’s collective aloha.”