Hawaii Flood Zones
Last updated: March 2026
Hawaii faces diverse flood hazards including tropical cyclone storm surge, intense orographic rainfall, flash flooding in steep volcanic terrain, and tsunami risk. The islands' mountainous topography creates extreme rainfall gradients and rapid runoff conditions.
3 of 5 Hawaii counties are rated high or very high for inland flood risk by FEMA's National Risk Index.
Hawaii has recorded 5,827 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $143.4M in payouts. See how Hawaii compares in our nationwide NFIP claims data breakdown.
FEMA Region
Region 9
Also covers Arizona, California, Nevada, +5 more
NFIP Policies
71,854
Avg. Premium
$782/yr
Hawaii Flood Risk Overview
County-level risk ratings from FEMA's National Risk Index across 5 Hawaii counties.
Inland Flood Risk
3 of 5 counties rated high or very high
Coastal Flood Risk
0 of 5 coastal counties rated high or very high
Hurricane Risk
0 of 5 counties rated high or very high
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment.
Federal Flood Disaster History
Hawaii has received 18 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, severe storms, and coastal storms.
Declarations by Decade
Recent Declarations
Showing 8 most recent of 18 total declarations.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims
Hawaii properties have filed 5,827 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $143.4M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout in 2025 was $53,795.
Recent Years
Claims by Decade
Highest-Claim Years
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage in Hawaii
Only roughly 1 in 8 households in Hawaii carries NFIP flood insurance (13% of estimated households). 2 of 5 counties have elevated flood risk but low insurance coverage. With 817 recorded flood events and $288.2M in damage, many flood losses in this state are likely uninsured.
Penetration Rate
13%
roughly 1 in 8 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 13
5,827 claims over 45+ years across 71,854 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$24,617
Per claim, state-wide since 1978
Historically, Hawaii has averaged 1 claim for every 13 active policies (since 1978). This compares cumulative claims against today's policy count and does not predict future claim likelihood.
Coverage data: NFIP policies as of March 2026, claims since 1978 (March 2026), population from FEMA NRI.
Repetitive Loss Properties in Hawaii
Hawaii has 279 properties with multiple flood insurance losses, including 34 severe repetitive loss properties. 3 properties have received FEMA mitigation funding. Severe repetitive loss is a subset of multiple loss, not a separate count. Data sourced March 2026.
Multiple Loss
279
2+ claims within 10 years
Severe Repetitive Loss
34
4+ claims or 2 exceeding value
Mitigated
3
Received FEMA mitigation
By Flood Zone
Zone data available for 269 of 279 properties.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events in Hawaii
NOAA has recorded 817 flood events in Hawaii since 1996, causing an estimated $288.2M in property and crop damage and 18 deaths.
Total Events
817
Total Damage
$288.2M
Fatalities
18
Events by Decade
Costliest Events
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation in Hawaii
FEMA has funded mitigation for 89 properties in Hawaii, investing $0 in flood risk reduction. Common mitigation actions include acquisition (buying and demolishing flood-prone structures), elevation (raising buildings above flood level), and safe rooms (wind/storm shelters for tornado and hurricane protection).
Properties by Action
Mitigation by Decade
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance Mitigated Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Hawaii Cities
Explore flood zone information for major cities in Hawaii.
Hawaii Flood Zone FAQ
How do I check if my Hawaii property is in a flood zone?
Enter your HI address in FludZone's free lookup tool. We query FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer in real-time to show your flood zone designation, whether flood insurance is required, and your property's risk level.
Do I need flood insurance in Hawaii?
If your Hawaii property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), meaning zones starting with A or V, and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not subject to the federal mandate but lenders may still require coverage, and it is often recommended given Hawaii's flood history.
What are the most common flood zones in Hawaii?
The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Hawaii are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone A, Zone D, Zone X. Each zone reflects a different level of flood risk, from high-risk areas where flood insurance is generally required for federally regulated or government-backed mortgages to lower-risk areas where coverage is optional but recommended.
Can I remove my Hawaii property from a flood zone?
Yes, if your Hawaii property's natural ground elevation was always above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in the SFHA, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) through FEMA. If your property was raised above the BFE with fill, the process is a LOMR-F. Note that for coastal properties in VE zones, LOMAs are less common because wave action creates risks beyond still-water elevation. A successful LOMA generally removes the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement, but your lender may still choose to require coverage. You'll need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor.
How much does flood insurance cost in Hawaii?
The average NFIP flood insurance premium in Hawaii is $782 per year across 71,854 active policies. Premiums vary by zone: Zone AE policies average $687/yr. Under FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0, your specific premium depends on property type, elevation relative to the Base Flood Elevation, and distance to water, not just your flood zone designation.
Which Hawaii counties have the highest flood risk?
According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Honolulu, Hawaii, Maui are among Hawaii's highest-risk counties for inland flooding. Overall, 3 of 5 Hawaii counties are rated "High" or "Very High" for inland flood risk. County-level ratings account for historical flood losses, social vulnerability, and community resilience.
How many NFIP flood insurance claims has Hawaii had?
Hawaii has recorded 5,827 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $143.4M in payouts since 1978. The highest-claim year was 1992, with 1,116 claims and $35.9M in payouts. This history reflects cumulative flood damage to Hawaii properties across decades of storm and rainfall events.
How many Hawaii properties have flooded repeatedly?
Hawaii has 279 properties with multiple flood losses. Of these, 34 are classified as Severe Repetitive Loss, meaning they have experienced four or more NFIP claims of $5,000 or more, or two or more claims where the total exceeds the building value. 3 of these properties have been mitigated.
What percentage of Hawaii homes have flood insurance?
Only roughly 1 in 8 households in Hawaii carries NFIP flood insurance (13% of estimated households). 2 counties in Hawaii have elevated flood risk but low insurance coverage, indicating a significant protection gap.
Understanding Flood Zones
Learn more about the FEMA flood zone designations common in Hawaii.
Insurance & Cost
Do I Need Flood Insurance?Flood Insurance CostsNFIP vs Private InsuranceRisk Rating 2.0Community Rating SystemBuying in a Flood ZoneFlood Zone DeterminationInsurance Waiting PeriodFlood vs Homeowners InsuranceInsurance Outside the SFHAZone X Flood InsuranceFlood Zones & Property ValueLook Up Any Hawaii Address
Enter a HI address to instantly check its FEMA flood zone designation, SFHA status, and insurance requirements.
Disclaimer: Flood risk data on this page is sourced from FEMA datasets including the National Risk Index, NFIP claims and policy records, disaster declarations, and the Community Rating System. These datasets were last extracted on March 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. This page is for informational purposes only and is not a certified flood zone determination. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.