5,827 flood insurance claims·$143.4M paid·64,636 policies in force
Shaded areas are FEMA’s mapped flood hazard zones in and around Hawaii. Zoomed out they are simplified; at street level the map switches to FEMA’s exact layer. Tap anywhere to check that spot, or search an address above.
Hawaii experiences a mixed flood risk profile dominated heavily by frequent flash floods and standard riverine or localized flooding events, alongside infrequent tropical storms and hurricanes. Over the past 30 years, NOAA records show 542 flash flood events resulting in 17 deaths, outnumbering 291 standard flood events, 5 tropical storms, 2 hurricanes, and 1 storm surge or tide event.
Recent federal disaster declarations reflect this persistent threat, highlighted by multiple declarations for severe storms, flooding, and landslides in April 2024 and March 2021, as well as severe storm declarations in December 2021 and Hurricane Douglas in July 2020. These events emphasize the vulnerability of the islands to heavy rainfall, severe storms, and tropical systems producing inland flooding and landslides.
Federal Emergency Management Agency claim data indicates that the highest volume of flood insurance payouts occurs in Zone A, which accounts for 3,086 claims totaling $85 million. However, significant risk extends well beyond high-risk coastal and riverine areas. Zone X records 1,212 claims totaling $32 million, demonstrating that property owners outside primary flood zones frequently experience losses. Meanwhile, coastal Zone V accounts for 1,069 claims totaling $37 million with the highest average payout per claim at $58,710. This distribution shows that while designated high-risk zones face the greatest frequency of claims, residents in moderate-to-low risk zones also experience costly flood damage, underscoring the necessity of broad insurance coverage across diverse zones.
Summary generated from FEMA disaster declarations, NOAA storm events, and NFIP claim data. Updated quarterly.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims, Policies, and Disaster Declarations data. NFIP policies in force and average premium (premium plus federal policy fee) as of August 31, 2026, from OpenFEMA.
Hawaii has received 110 federal disaster declarations, including 15 flood and coastal storm declarations and 10 hurricane declarations.
NFIP claims by county, 1978 to date. Source: OpenFEMA. Counties ranked by recorded flood events →
Properties in Hawaii FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with a mortgage from a federally regulated or insured lender, or a federally backed loan, are required to carry flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Hawaii had 64,636 NFIP policies in force on August 31, 2026, and the average NFIP premium was $828 a year (premium plus the federal policy fee; the reserve fund assessment and HFIAA surcharge come on top, and nationally they make actual bills about a quarter higher). Under FEMA’s Risk Rating 2.0 each building is priced on its own flood risk, so a state average says little about what any one home will pay.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from properties outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area. Hawaii residents can purchase flood insurance through the NFIP or private insurers.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.
See the most flood-prone counties in Hawaii →
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