(September 25, 2026) HONOLULU — Governor Josh Green today announced that the United States President has approved Hawaiʻi’s request for a pre-landfall Presidential Emergency Declaration for 2026-43 Tropical Cyclone 15E, now Hurricane Nolo.
The declaration provides federal assistance for emergency protective measures in the City and County of Honolulu and the Counties of Hawaiʻi, Maui and Kauaʻi. Assistance will be provided under Public Assistance Category B, including Direct Federal Assistance, at a 75% federal cost share.
“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,” said Governor Green. “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 (NWS) forecasters expect Hurricane Nolo to strengthen into a Category 3 hurricane as it makes its closest approach to Hawaiʻi Island on Saturday, September 26. 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 Friday and Saturday, causing catastrophic, life-threatening flooding. Heavy rains are also predicted, though in lesser amounts, on Maui through the weekend. For Maui, a Tropical Storm Watch is currently in effect, meaning that tropical-storm-force winds are possible within 36 to 48 hours.
The NWS 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:
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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;
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Federal search-and-rescue capabilities, including swiftwater and flood-rescue teams, equipment, transportation, as well as communications support;
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Large-capacity generators, fuel, installation and sustainment support for hospitals, water systems, communications facilities and other critical services;
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Technical and logistical assistance for emergency electrical-grid restoration;
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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;
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Disaster mortuary assistance to support ongoing human-remains recovery operations at Nāʻālehu Cemetery following Tropical Cyclone Lala; and
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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,” Governor 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 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 U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. 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.