Hurricane Nolo could cause “catastrophic and life-threatening” flooding in Hawaii, forecasters warn. See its path.

Hurricane Nolo strengthened into a Category 2 storm as it approaches Hawaii as a potential “catastrophic” rainmaker, the National Hurricane Center said.

A hurricane watch is in effect for Hawaii County due to the storm, which could dump up to 3 feet of rain on Hawaii’s Big Island. Catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding is possible on the Big Island into this weekend, forecasters warn. 

President Trump on Friday approved an emergency declaration for Hawaii that will provide federal resources and assistance to the state in its recovery from Nolo, Hawaiian Gov. Josh Green said. 

Map shows Hurricane Nolo’s expected path

The center of the storm was hundreds of miles from Hawaii as of Friday evening and is expected to stay “well south” of the main Hawaiian Islands. But hurricane-force winds were extending outward up to 45 miles from Nolo’s core and tropical storm-force winds extended outward up to 140 miles.

Nolo had maximum sustained winds of 105 mph, making it a Category 2 hurricane. The Miami-based hurricane center said it is expected to keep strengthening and become a major hurricane this weekend, which is defined as a Category 3 hurricane or stronger.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for Hawaii County (in addition to the hurricane watch there), and a tropical storm watch is in effect for Maui County. 

The Big Island was beginning to experience tropical storm conditions Friday night, forecasters said, with hurricane conditions possible for the island early Saturday, especially in areas with steep terrain.  

Nolo could bring up to 25 inches of rain to the eastern and southern portions of the Big Island. That much rain could trigger “catastrophic life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain,” the hurricane center warned.

The Big Island’s western areas could see 2 to 4 inches of rain and 8 at most. For Maui, 4 to 6 inches is possible with as much as 10 inches in some spots. The rest of Hawaii is likely to get 1 to 3 inches and 5 at most, enough to set off isolated flooding, forecasters said.

All state parks on the Big Island and on Maui will be closed because of the storm, the state’s Department of Land and Natural Resources said. 

Nolo formed as another storm, Hurricane Polo, continued to swirl in the Pacific, off Mexico’s southwestern coast.

The latest storms add to an unusually active season in the Pacific. Earlier this month, Hurricane Lowell brought damaging winds and heavy rain to the western Hawaiian islands of Kauai and Niihau, bringing down trees, damaging roads and knocking out power for thousands.

Last month, Hurricane Lala washed away about 100 homes, triggered landslides and caused widespread power outages as it brushed past Hawaii.