Hard-hit Hawaii under hurricane watch as Nolo nears Big Island

Hawaii's Big Island is under a hurricane watch as Tropical Storm Nolo heads toward the hard-hit state.

Widespread power outages and communications failures are possible, and roads, buildings and other structures may be washed away.

Nolo could strengthen to a hurricane on Thursday as the rain begins, and the storm could further strengthen into a major Category 3 hurricane this weekend as Nolo remains just south of the islands.

Nolo is not expected to make landfall in Hawaii, but it is expected to make a close approach to the Big Island on Saturday, possibly bringing Category 1 or Category 2 conditions.

The Big Island is bracing for hurricane-force winds over 75 mph and rain totals of 15-to-20 inches. Rain could even reach 35 inches at higher elevations. The Big Island could also face life-threatening flooding and mudslides.

Maui is forecast to get 5-to-10 inches of rain with 20 inches in higher elevations, as well as dangerous flooding and mudslides.

The other islands will likely get a few inches of rain with isolated flooding possible.

Conditions will slowly improve on Sunday as Nolo moves away from the islands.

Nolo comes amid a rough year for natural disasters in Hawaii. The state has been hit by four big events this year: the Kona Low storms in March, the Hawai'i Island earthquake in May, and Hurricanes Lala and Lowell this summer.

As residents brace for Nolo to bring more destruction, Gov. Josh Green said Wednesday that those four major disasters have left about $686 million in damages. Green said the state has identified another $319 million "in proposed resilience and mitigation projects to strengthen critical infrastructure and prepare Hawaiʻi for future disasters."

"We will pursue every available federal resource, use insurance and state funding responsibly and work with the Legislature to protect our people and prepare Hawaiʻi for what comes next," the governor said in a statement.