Honolulu, Hawaii — What is happening: Gov. Josh Green has ordered all state and county offices, public schools, and University of Hawaii campuses on the Big Island closed Thursday and Friday as Hurricane Nolo bears down. Maui County shuts the same offices and schools on Friday. The governor also asked the White House for a pre-landfall emergency declaration covering all four counties, seeking federal help with search and rescue, emergency power, debris removal, and communications at a 75 percent federal cost share. Local impacts: Nolo is forecast to become a hurricane Thursday night and could reach major hurricane strength by the weekend. The National Hurricane Center warns the storm could drop up to 35 inches of rain on the Big Island and up to 20 inches on Maui, bringing a threat of catastrophic, life-threatening flooding and mudslides — especially dangerous because weeks of rain have already soaked the ground. Dangerous seas will build and peak Friday and Saturday. A hurricane watch covers all of Hawaii County, and emergency shelters have opened on the Big Island. What to do: Finish preparations now — Thursday was described by officials as the last dry day to get ready. Avoid unnecessary travel so emergency crews can move safely. If your home has flooded before or sits in a flood-prone spot, consider moving to a shelter before conditions worsen. Follow all instructions from county emergency officials. Source: The Business Journals, September 24. Reported by TNW News.