Hurricane Nolo still threatens Hawaii as Mexico’s Baja braces for major Hurricane Polo

Hurricane Nolo was moving away from the Hawaiian Islands on Sunday, but the threat of heavy rain, flash flooding and strong winds persisted in areas of the island chain still recovering from previous storms.

Warning areas and potential impact

Nolo was about 365 miles (585 kilometers) south-southwest of Honolulu and moving away from the Big Island at about 12 mph (19 kph).

But the Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency said a high wind warning, wind advisory and high surf advisory remained in effect for parts of the island through Sunday evening as Nolo's maximum sustained winds rose to 115 mph (165 kph).

Nolo was expected to strengthen further and turn toward the northwest by Sunday night, though the U.S. National Hurricane Center said the storm's center would remain well south and southwest of the Hawaiian Islands.

The storm was expected to approach the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, a national conservation area, early this week.

Heavy rain also was expected on the other islands.

“Don’t venture out if you don’t have to into the dangerous flooding environment, but also high winds.

Official warning details

Forecasters said Nolo's outer bands could cause life-threatening flooding and mudslides, with parts of the Big Island possibly getting up to 20 inches (50 centimeters) of rain.