Kalawao County, Hawaii
Natural disaster risk, federal disaster history and flood insurance facts.
Kalawao County, Hawaii has a very low overall risk from natural hazards in FEMA's National Risk Index. Its risk score is lower than almost every US county. It ranks 5th of 5 counties in Hawaii. The costliest hazards here are inland flooding, tsunamis and earthquakes. FEMA estimates about $260,000 a year in expected losses, or roughly $3,176 per resident. Since 1992 it has been included in 1 federal disaster or emergency declaration for natural events (1 major disaster). The most recent was in September 1992 (Hurricane Iniki). No homes here carry federal flood insurance.
FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; OpenFEMA declarations to Nov 6, 2026; NFIP records. Updated November 6, 2026.
Top risks in Kalawao County
- Check the FEMA flood map for your address, and ask the seller or landlord about past flooding.
- Price a flood policy now. Most new federal policies take 30 days to start.
- Learn the tsunami evacuation route signs.
- If you feel a strong quake near the coast, move to high ground right away.
- Ask whether an older house is bolted to its foundation.
- Consider separate earthquake insurance where risk is high.
All 18 hazards
What the ratings mean ›| Hazard | Rating | Score | Expected loss a year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inland flooding | 0.7 | $155K | ||
| Tsunami | 10.8 | $56K | ||
| Earthquake | 26.5 | $41K | ||
| Wildfire | 19.4 | $6K | ||
| Hurricane | 10.4 | $2K | ||
| Lightning | 0.3 | $1K | ||
| Tornado | 1.0 | $104 | ||
| Coastal flooding | 18.2 | $92 | ||
| Hail | 0.8 | $16 | ||
| Landslide | 1.1 | $1 | ||
| Strong wind | 0.8 | $0 | ||
| Volcanic activity | 18.2 | $0 |
Scores are percentiles: a score of 90 means higher risk than about 90% of US counties for that hazard. Hazards FEMA does not rate here are left out. Social vulnerability is relatively high and community resilience is very high in FEMA's measures.
Federal disaster history
Recent disasters nationwide ›Declarations by decade
Federal declarations for natural events that included Kalawao County. 2020s bar runs to November 2026.
By type
Most recent
Hawaii also had 10 statewide declarations that did not name single counties.
Hurricanes and tropical storms
Hurricane risk by county ›Since 1983, 1 hurricane and 2 tropical storms have passed within 65 miles of the center of Kalawao County, 3 of them since 1950. The strongest was Hurricane Douglas (2020), with top winds near 90 mph about 59 miles away.
Strongest storms nearby
| Date | Storm | Strength | Closest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 27, 2020 | Douglas | Category 1, 90 mph | 59 mi |
| Sep 12, 2018 | Olivia | Tropical storm, 45 mph | 57 mi |
| Aug 3, 1983 | Gil | Tropical storm, 45 mph | 62 mi |
Most recent storms
| Date | Storm | Strength | Closest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 27, 2020 | Douglas | Category 1, 90 mph | 59 mi |
| Sep 12, 2018 | Olivia | Tropical storm, 45 mph | 57 mi |
| Aug 3, 1983 | Gil | Tropical storm, 45 mph | 62 mi |
Source: NOAA National Hurricane Center best-track records (HURDAT2), 1851 to 2025 for the Atlantic and 1949 to 2025 for the eastern Pacific. A storm counts if its track passed within 65 miles of the county's center while it was a tropical storm or hurricane. Strength is the storm's top sustained wind at that point, not the wind measured in the county. Older storms over the open sea were sometimes missed.
Flood insurance in Kalawao County
Check your address flood zone ›National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) records only; private flood policies are not included. Home counts as of Aug 3, 2026. Since 2021 NFIP prices each home separately under Risk Rating 2.0, so your price depends on the building, not the county. Ask an agent for a quote.
Homes in Kalawao County
Older homes and mobile homes usually suffer more damage in storms, floods and earthquakes, and can cost more to insure. If you are buying, ask about roof age, foundation bolting and any retrofits. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020 to 2024 5-year estimates; 107 housing units.
Compare in Hawaii
All 5 ›| Largest counties | Overall risk | Top hazard |
|---|---|---|
| Honolulu County | Inland flooding | |
| Hawaii County | Inland flooding | |
| Maui County | Inland flooding | |
| Kauai County | Inland flooding | |
| Kalawao County | Inland flooding |
Neighboring counties
| County | Overall risk | Declarations |
|---|---|---|
| Maui County | 31 |
Common questions about Kalawao County
What is the biggest natural hazard in Kalawao County?
Inland flooding has the highest expected yearly losses in Kalawao County, about $154,513 a year in FEMA's estimate. Tsunami is second at $55,790.
How many federal disasters has Kalawao County had?
Kalawao County has been included in 1 federal disaster or emergency declaration for natural events since 1992, including 1 major disaster. The most recent was Hurricane Iniki in September 1992.
Is Kalawao County a high-risk place to live?
Its overall rating is Very Low, 5th highest of 5 in Hawaii. A county rating covers the whole area. Risk at one address can be much higher or lower, so check the FEMA flood map and ask about the home's history.
Do I need flood insurance in Kalawao County?
Standard home insurance does not cover flooding. Lenders require it in mapped high-risk zones, but many flood claims come from outside those zones.
How many hurricanes have hit Kalawao County?
NOAA's hurricane records show 1 hurricane and 2 tropical storms passing within 65 miles of the center of Kalawao County. The strongest was Hurricane Douglas (2020), with winds near 90 mph.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025), OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, and NFIP policy and claims data. Hazard Compass is independent and not affiliated with FEMA. These figures describe the whole county, not a single property, and are not insurance or safety advice. Report a problem.