Hurricane Nolo: How Hawai‘i Dog Owners Can Prepare

Sep 25

Hurricane Nolo brings changing wind and flood risks to Hawai‘i. Here’s what dog owners should pack, how to check shelter rules for pets, and where to find official alerts before leaving home.

By Stephen Gill · Published September 25, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. ET · About 8 minutes

Illustration of a woman in a Hawai‘i home packing a pink emergency bag beside a gray Standard Poodle and an open dog crate before a storm. — Plan for your dog before weather and travel conditions change. Editorial illustration by Inspired by Tyson; not a photograph of Hurricane Nolo.

The quick answer: At 11 p.m. HST Thursday, Nolo was a Category 1 hurricane south of Hawai‘i Island. Hawai‘i County was under a Hurricane Watch and Tropical Storm Warning; Maui County was under a Tropical Storm Watch. Prepare food, water, medication, identification and a crate for your dog; confirm a safe destination and follow the latest county instructions. See the time-stamped NHC advisory.

At 11 p.m. Hawai‘i time Thursday, September 24, the National Hurricane Center reported that Hurricane Nolo had sustained winds of 80 mph and was about 240 miles south of South Point, moving north-northeast at 5 mph. Forecasters expect strengthening and a turn westward over the weekend. The advisory forecast the center to remain well south of the main islands, yet warned that parts of Hawai‘i Island could face catastrophic, life-threatening flooding and mudslides. For dog owners, the practical question is where you and your dog can go before roads or conditions become unsafe. This report reflects that 11 p.m. advisory; check the state’s current links and alerts for changes after publication.

Where nolo stands right now

In the 11 p.m. HST advisory, Hawai‘i County was under a Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch; Maui County was under a Tropical Storm Watch. The Hurricane Watch means hurricane conditions are possible within 36 hours in this case. Warnings, watches and local flood alerts can change before this article appears, so use the live links on Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency’s Nolo page rather than relying on yesterday’s list.

The storm was moving at about 5 mph at 11 p.m. HST. A slow-moving system can concentrate rain over one area, while a change in track can move the worst conditions elsewhere. Make plans while roads are open and communications work; follow evacuation directions from your county rather than waiting for a particular wind speed at your door.

What hawaii could see

Rainfall is the leading concern. The 11 p.m. NHC advisory projected 15 to 30 inches for eastern and southern Hawai‘i Island, with local maxima of 35 inches; western areas were projected to receive 5 to 8 inches, with maxima of 10. Maui’s forecast was 4 to 8 inches, locally 15; other islands were forecast at 1 to 3 inches, locally 6. These are forecasts, not observations, and conditions will vary sharply by location. Flooding and landslides can be life-threatening on steep terrain.

The same advisory said tropical-storm conditions were expected to begin late Friday in Hawai‘i County, with hurricane conditions possible early Saturday, especially in steep terrain. It projected a possible 1-to-3-foot surge above ground somewhere along Hawai‘i County’s coast if the peak surge coincides with high tide. Do not use a single statewide number to decide whether your route is safe; check county alerts and local conditions.

Build your dog's hurricane kit today

Every dog owner in Nolo's path should assemble — or check — a hurricane kit today, before wind and rain make travel difficult. The Hawaiian Humane Society recommends:

A 14-day supply of food and water in sealed, waterproof containers
A crate or carrier large enough for your dog to stand, turn around and lie down in comfortably
A leash and collar with current contact information attached
Medications, a basic first-aid kit, and copies of vaccine and vet records
Bedding, a favorite toy, waste bags and any grooming or cleaning supplies
Recent photos of your dog, in case you're separated

Update your dog's microchip registration now, while you still have reliable power and Wi-Fi — a chip only helps if the contact information behind it is current. If your dog isn't microchipped, a securely fastened collar tag with a working phone number is the next-best option.

Can you bring your dog to a shelter?

Shelter pet policies vary by county and site. Maui County announced that five emergency shelters on Maui and Moloka‘i were scheduled to open Friday, September 25, at noon Hawai‘i time: Lahaina Civic Center Gym, South Maui Community Park Gymnasium, Mayor Hannibal Tavares Community Center, Hāna High & Elementary School, and Kilohana Recreation Center on Moloka‘i. The county says pets are allowed if they are in crates. At this article’s 9 a.m. Eastern publication time, that noon HST opening is still ahead; check the county page for any changes before travelling.

For Hawai‘i County, HIEMA links to the county’s live shelter dashboard; confirm a specific site is open and ask about its current pet policy before travelling. Do not assume that bringing a crate guarantees entry for a pet. On O‘ahu, the Hawaiian Humane Society says emergency shelters are pet-friendly, but individual locations can change or close. Take your dog with you when you evacuate and arrange a backup destination in case your first choice is unavailable.

Pets vs. service animals: the rules aren't the same

Shelter access law treats service animals and pets differently. ADA guidance on emergency planning says public shelters should modify “no pets” policies so people with disabilities can remain with trained service animals. A pet or emotional-support dog does not become a service animal merely because it comforts someone; under the ADA, a service dog is trained to perform a disability-related task. Families with pets need to verify the site’s pet arrangements in advance.

If you're riding out the storm at home

If local officials direct you to evacuate, follow that direction and take your dog. If you can safely shelter at home under local guidance, bring your dog inside early, keep the kit accessible, and use a leash for bathroom breaks so a frightened dog cannot bolt. Keep pets away from floodwater, damaged wiring and debris. Never leave a dog tied outside or alone in a garage during a storm. If you cannot safely remain at home, seek official shelter or another verified safe destination.

Questions dog owners are asking

Will my dog be allowed inside a Hawaii hurricane shelter?

It depends on the site. Maui County says crated pets may enter its announced shelters when they open; verify that a particular shelter is operating. For Hawai‘i County, use the live county shelter link and confirm the site’s pet policy. Bring a crate and a backup destination.

What's the difference between a pet and a service animal at a shelter?

Public shelters generally must modify no-pets policies for people with disabilities who use trained service animals. Pets follow the site’s pet policy. See the ADA’s emergency-planning guidance.

What should be in my dog's hurricane emergency kit?

A 14-day supply of food and water, a crate your dog can stand and turn around in, a leash and ID, medications and vaccine records, and recent photos in case you're separated.

Where can I find shelter locations and pet policies before I need them?

Start with HIEMA’s county shelter and alert links; it points to the Hawai‘i County dashboard and Maui County’s shelter notice. Check the latest NHC advisory separately for changing hazards.

Nolo’s final track and local conditions can change. The 11 p.m. NHC forecast kept the center well south of the islands, but warned of severe rain over parts of Hawai‘i Island. Dog owners do not need a precise landfall prediction to act: prepare a kit, check the latest warning for your neighborhood, and know where you and your dog can go if the county tells you to leave.

The takeaway: Whatever Nolo’s final track, dog owners should have food, water, a crate, identification and a safe destination ready before conditions make travel harder.

Sources & current alerts

About Stephen Gill

Stephen Gill is the founder of Inspired by Tyson and editor of Daily Doggy News. He covers dog safety, health, behavior and the decisions owners make every day. Read his bio →