Hurricane Nolo threatens Hawaii with catastrophic flooding as Polo nears Mexico Hurricane Nolo is expected to bring life-threatening flooding and extreme surf to Hawaii's Big Island, while Hurricane Polo approaches Mexico's Baja California peninsula after reaching Category 5 strength. Hawaii's Big Island is bracing for another potentially life-threatening and catastrophic storm as Hurricane Nolo churns just south of the islands, expected to bring flash floods and extreme surf through the weekend. Hurricane Nolo Strengthens Near Hawaii Big IslandThe storm was expected to strengthen to a major hurricane on Saturday, with maximum sustained winds increasing to 105 mph (165 km/h) on Friday. As of Friday, Nolo's center was located about 185 miles (300 kilometers) south of Hawaii's southernmost point. Forecasters warned parts of the Big Island could see rainfall totals up to 15 inches (38 centimeters), with a possibility of up to 25 inches (64 centimeters).That was down from an earlier forecast that called for up to 35 inches (89 centimeters)."People are going to want to kind of shelter in place on the Big Island, be in their safe place, certainly by later today, tonight, well into Saturday," said Michael Brennan, director of the U.S. National Hurricane Center. "Don't venture out if you don't have to into the dangerous flooding environment, but also high winds. We can have trees and power lines down." The hurricane center said heavy rainfall also was possible on Hawaii's other islands, with Maui potentially facing life-threatening flooding and mudslides. The storm surge could reach one to three feet (30 to 91 centimeters), creating large and dangerous waves and coastal flooding. Hawaii officials urged residents to assemble emergency kits, and Governor Josh Green issued an emergency proclamation, activating more than 230 Hawaii National Guard members. Schools were closed in some areas.Hawaii County officials on the Big Island encouraged residents in flood-prone areas to consider taking refuge at shelters."We encourage everyone to complete their preparations, stay connected to official alerts and weather updates, and secure safe shelter before flooding strikes," Mayor Kimo Alameda said in a statement. Crews on the Big Island spent hours Friday building berms to guide water and moving large debris ahead of the worst of the rain, said Erika Kapu, Hawaii program manager for the humanitarian nonprofit CORE.CORE and other nonprofit partners spent the week packing and shipping supplies like camp stoves and hygiene products by air cargo from Oahu to the Big Island for a community relief hub that has been active since August's Hurricane Lala. The heaviest rain from Nolo is likely to fall over the same southeastern region of the Big Island that was hit by Lala and where grounds are still wet from additional precipitation.In Hilo, where light rain was falling Friday, residents filled bags with sand and gravel at Francis Wong Stadium, where authorities set up a sand distribution center. Dean Taise said water was starting to get into his driveway from the street, so he decided to get a few sandbags ready."They say, prepare for the worst, right? Hope for the best," Taise said. Darren Montalvo also carried sandbags to help keep water out of his restaurant. Daniel Compton, visiting from Seattle, said, "I guess that'd be my concern - whether we're getting out of here or not, but, you know, as far as the weather goes, it is what it is." Hawaiian Electric, the state's primary utility, said crews that had been helping restore power in Kauai after this month's Hurricane Lowell would return to Oahu, Maui and the Big Island in preparation for the coming storm. Governor Green requested an emergency disaster declaration for four Hawaii counties. The request is still pending approval from President Donald Trump. Approval would unlock federal dollars and support for immediate needs like emergency services and debris removal.Mexico Prepares For Category 5 Hurricane PoloMeanwhile, Mexico is under threat from Hurricane Polo as it heads toward the Baja California peninsula after bringing storm conditions to the southwestern coast. The hurricane center said Polo gained significant force overnight into Friday morning, with maximum sustained winds estimated at 180 mph (290 km/h), a Category 5 storm.It remained well off the western Mexico coast heading westward but is expected to turn north and reach the Baja California Peninsula late Sunday into Monday or between Monday and Tuesday, according to forecasts. No major damage or flooding was reported along the coast overnight into Friday, although some towns in Colima and Michoacán were affected by tides.By midday Friday, attention turned to the peninsula, where local authorities were preparing shelters, and Mexico's government announced Friday afternoon that they were closing ports in the region as dark clouds swirled overhead. Residents stacked sandbags to fortify beachfront shops and evacuated their homes in some coastal areas on Thursday. Mexican authorities opened shelters, cleared people from beaches, and deployed 15,000 security personnel across the coast. Schools were closed.In the port city of Lázaro Cárdenas in Michoacán, seawater swept through homes Thursday and left wooden planks and furniture strewn on the streets. Locals and government officials were clearing piles of wooden planks from destroyed ramadas and shoveling thick mud coating much of the town. Alicia Contreras said the walls and roof of her restaurant had been severely damaged by 15-foot (4.5-meter) waves.As officers and family helped pick through the damage, Contreras worried about how she would recover economically."This is huge because we have no other source of income. Now we're just surviving," she said. The powerful storms come during the weather phenomenon El Niño, which is prompting major environmental shifts across the world, fueling drought in some areas and flooding in others. It traditionally dampens the Atlantic hurricane season while tending to rev up tropical cyclone activity in the Pacific with moist air and little wind shear.Pacific Storms Odalys And Atlantic Storms Fay GonzaloA third storm in the Pacific, Hurricane Odalys, was at Category 4 status and far from land, roughly 1,537 kilometers west-southwest of the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula. It carried maximum sustained winds of 215 kph and was moving north, and it could intensify by Friday night.In the Atlantic, Tropical Storm Fay re-formed early Thursday and was about 1,674 kilometers west-southwest of the Azores as of Friday, while Tropical Storm Gonzalo strengthened off Africa's western coast with maximum sustained winds of 85 kph, approaching the Cabo Verde Islands and expected to pass near or over portions later Friday, gradually weakening over the weekend.