Enter any address in Honolulu County, Hawaii to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding is the most frequent flood event in Honolulu County, with 140 occurrences recorded in the last 30 years. Other flood types, including general floods and two hurricane events, have also impacted the area. Recent events include localized flooding on O'ahu in January 2025 due to heavy rainfall from a strong low-pressure system, and in December 2025, a cold front brought periods of heavy rainfall and isolated thunderstorms causing flooding.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the highest number of claims, with an average payout of $27,544. Zone X also shows a significant number of claims. Properties in Zone V have had fewer claims but with a higher average payout and water depth. Residents in Zone A, Zone V, and coastal areas should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
35 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Honolulu County, Hawaii has recorded 228 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 140 flash floods and 85 river or area floods. The county has received 22 federal disaster declarations, 5 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1974–2025)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Kunia Road Fire | Fire | Aug 19, 2025 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Landslides | Severe Storm | Dec 5, 2021 |
| Hurricane Douglas | Hurricane | Jul 23, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Tropical Storm Olivia | Hurricane | Sep 9, 2018 |
| Hurricane Lane | Hurricane | Aug 22, 2018 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Apr 13, 2018 |
| Tsunami Waves | Tsunami | Mar 11, 2011 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Dec 10, 2008 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jan 30, 2025 | 100.00K |
| Flood | Jan 30, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 17, 2025 | 50.00K |
| Flood | Dec 14, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Storm Surge/Tide | Dec 4, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 18, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 17, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 17, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 16, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 13, 2024 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jan 30, 2025
A strong low that passed a few hundred miles north of the state produced gale force winds and heavy rainfall over all of the main Hawaiian Islands. The worst flooding affected O'ahu during the daylight hours of January 30 and southwest Maui that night. The Kuli'ou'ou and Hawai'i Kai areas appeared to have the worst flooding on O'ahu due to the passage of an intense rain band with 2- to 4-inch p...
Flood — Jan 30, 2025
A strong low that passed a few hundred miles north of the state produced gale force winds and heavy rainfall over all of the main Hawaiian Islands. The worst flooding affected O'ahu during the daylight hours of January 30 and southwest Maui that night. The Kuli'ou'ou and Hawai'i Kai areas appeared to have the worst flooding on O'ahu due to the passage of an intense rain band with 2- to 4-inch p...
Flood — Mar 17, 2025
An upper level trough and a surface low pressure system to the west caused localized flooding on Oahu.
Flood — Dec 14, 2025
A cold front with robust upper level support brought localized flooding impacts to Kauai and Oahu. Moderate southerly winds pushed moist air with precipitable water values in excess of 1.8 inches over the islands, contributing to periods of heavy rainfall. Instability aloft from a broad mid and upper level trough allowed for isolated thunderstorms.
Storm Surge/Tide — Dec 4, 2025
The monthly peak high tides contributed to some minor coastal flooding.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Honolulu County, Hawaii:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Honolulu County, Hawaii that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.