More hazard damage per building is expected in Aiea than in 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Aiea gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #2 of 93 in Hawaii. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then wildfire (12%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1992.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Aiea faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Wildfire
Earthquakes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Aiea’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Aiea, and Aiea’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 12%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C #2 of 93 in Hawaii; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Aiea’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Hawaii town has higher expected damage than 96% of U.S. towns; within the state, Aiea has less expected damage per building than 99% of Hawaii towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Aiea: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Aiea flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1992
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Aiea, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Iniki2 claims · $3K
Aiea isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Honolulu County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Aiea
Disasters that paid out in Aiea itself (aid to households or repair grants to Aiea), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides18 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
Honolulu County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Also 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Honolulu County, 2005–2025.
Old photos of Aiea after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Aiea archive →Aiea and its neighbors
Aiea is 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Aiea faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Aiea
Is Aiea at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Aiea has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #2 of 93 in Hawaii. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and wildfire (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Aiea flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Aiea since 1992, $5K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Iniki (2).
Is Aiea in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Honolulu County, 54% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Aiea?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Aiea’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Aiea?
By FEMA money that reached Aiea, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2026): 18 households applied for aid, $7K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Iniki: 2 paid, $3K.
Is Aiea at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Aiea’s rate for it is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Aiea.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Aiea’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.