Hilo, Hawaii — Millions of Americans are facing potentially dangerous weather this weekend as hurricanes move across the Pacific toward Hawaii and Mexico while a powerful nor’easter intensifies along the East Coast.
Hawaii’s Big Island is preparing for potentially life-threatening flooding as Hurricane Nolo strengthens south of the islands, while Hurricane Polo continues to threaten Mexico’s Baja Peninsula. At the same time, a major nor’easter is bringing strong winds, dangerous waves and coastal flooding concerns to the Northeast.
The combination has placed communities on both sides of the country on alert heading into the weekend.
Hurricane Nolo Strengthens Near Hawaii
Hurricane Nolo has continued to intensify while moving northeastward through the Pacific.
The storm’s maximum sustained winds have reached 105 mph, making Nolo a Category 2 hurricane. Its center was located about 185 miles south of South Point, Hawaii, and approximately 380 miles south-southeast of Honolulu.
Nolo was moving north-northeast at roughly 5 mph, according to the latest information in the report.
The biggest immediate concern for Hawaii is not necessarily a direct landfall but the potential for catastrophic flooding and dangerous tropical-storm conditions.
Tropical-storm conditions were expected to begin reaching land Friday evening, with hurricane conditions possible by early Saturday.
Forecasters expected Nolo to eventually turn west Saturday, which could allow the center of the hurricane to avoid a direct hit on the Hawaiian Islands. However, the storm’s large circulation could still produce significant rainfall, strong winds and dangerous conditions.
Big Island Braces for Life-Threatening Flooding
Residents on Hawaii’s Big Island are preparing for the possibility of extreme rainfall and flooding as Nolo passes nearby.
Heavy tropical rainfall can overwhelm drainage systems and cause rapid rises in streams and rivers, especially in areas that receive the heaviest bands.
Even if the hurricane’s center stays offshore, conditions can remain dangerous because tropical systems often produce their most significant impacts well away from the center.
Officials and residents are therefore watching the storm closely as it approaches the islands.
Hurricane Polo Threatens Mexico
Hawaii is not the only region dealing with hurricane conditions. Hurricane Polo is moving toward Mexico’s Baja Peninsula after already bringing storm conditions to parts of the southwestern Mexican coast.
The storm’s approach has raised concerns for additional heavy rainfall, strong winds and dangerous surf along portions of the peninsula.
While the two hurricanes are affecting different areas, their presence highlights a particularly active stretch across the Pacific.
Powerful Nor’easter Takes Aim at New England
Thousands of miles away, another major storm is creating dangerous conditions along the East Coast.
A powerful nor’easter intensified Friday as it moved toward New England, producing storm-force winds and massive waves along the coastline.
Millions of people were under weather warnings connected to the storm, while several events were canceled and some residents of islands near Cape Cod were urged to move toward the mainland.
The National Weather Service warned that dangerous coastal flooding could affect parts of the Mid-Atlantic, with New Jersey and Delaware among the areas facing significant concerns.
Cape Cod Could See 65 MPH Wind Gusts
The strongest winds are expected along exposed coastal areas. Peak wind gusts could reach 60 to 65 mph across Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Friday night and Saturday.
Around Boston, gusts could reach approximately 50 to 55 mph, while areas farther inland could see winds closer to 35 to 40 mph. Those conditions could create dangerous travel, knock down trees and power lines, and produce scattered power outages.
The combination of strong winds, large waves and coastal flooding could make conditions especially hazardous near the shoreline.
Rhode Island Officials Urge Residents to Prepare
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee urged residents to take precautions during a news conference Friday.
“Secure outdoor items. Charge your phones and tablets. We’ve been through this exercise many times before,” he said. “Stay away from the water. Conditions will be dangerous, and I think that as we need to really reinforce the fact that there’s no need to take any levels of risk.”
The warning comes as the nor’easter continues to strengthen and push dangerous surf toward the coast.
For residents in Hawaii, Mexico and the Northeast, the weekend could bring very different forms of severe weather, from hurricane-driven flooding and tropical conditions to powerful winds and coastal inundation.
Residents should continue following local weather warnings and avoid unnecessary travel in areas experiencing dangerous conditions.
Are you preparing for the severe weather this weekend? Share your city and state in the comments and let us know what conditions you’re expecting.
