Enter any address in Kauai County, Hawaii to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall is the dominant flood character in Kauai County. Over the past 30 years, the NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 148 flash flood events resulting in 9 fatalities, alongside 61 flood events with 1 fatality. Recent events include flash flooding in July 2025, where rainfall of nearly eight inches was recorded over a 24-hour period, and April 2024, which saw heavy showers and thunderstorms leading to evacuations and road closures.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that while Zone A areas have seen a high number of claims, properties in Zone X_UNSHADED have experienced the highest average payouts and significant water depths. Homeowners in coastal areas, properties near rivers and streams, and those located in areas designated as Zone X or Zone X_UNSHADED should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
39 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Kauai County, Hawaii has recorded 209 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 148 flash floods and 61 river or area floods. The county has received 18 federal disaster declarations, 4 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1974–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Landslides | Flood | Apr 11, 2024 |
| Hurricane Douglas | Hurricane | Jul 23, 2020 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Mar 27, 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 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Landslides | Severe Storm | Mar 3, 2012 |
| 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 | Jul 20, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 12, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 12, 2024 | 6.50M |
| Flash Flood | Apr 12, 2024 | 7.00M |
| Flash Flood | Apr 11, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 30, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 29, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 24, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 21, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 20, 2023 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 20, 2025
A mid level trough combined with an upper level low and enhanced moisture allowed significant flooding to occur over portions of Kauai. Mt Wai'ale'ale recorded nearly eight inches of rainfall in a twenty four hour period.
Flash Flood — Apr 12, 2024
A strong low pressure system to the northwest of the Hawaiian Islands along with an associated surface trough brought abundant moisture and an unstable atmosphere to the region. This moisture and instability led to heavy rainfall and thunderstorms primarily over the island of Kauai. During the early morning of April twelve, a band of heavy showers with embedded thunderstorms moved over the isla...
Flash Flood — Apr 11, 2024
A strong low pressure system to the northwest of the Hawaiian Islands along with an associated surface trough brought abundant moisture and an unstable atmosphere to the region. This moisture and instability led to heavy rainfall and thunderstorms primarily over the island of Kauai. During the early morning of April twelve, a band of heavy showers with embedded thunderstorms moved over the isla...
Flash Flood — Jan 30, 2023
Radar and automated rain gauges indicated heavy rain, with rates of one to two inches per hour, had fallen over northern Kauai. Area river and stream gauges showed elevated flows.
Flash Flood — Mar 29, 2023
Heavy rainfall across south Kauai caused significant ponding on area roadways between Lawai and Poipu.
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 Kauai 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 Kauai 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.