Photo: Ivtorov · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect more hazard damage per building than Captain Cook, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Captain Cook gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #79 of 93 in Hawaii. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (47%), then earthquakes (34%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Captain Cook 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
Earthquakes
Volcanic activity
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 Captain Cook’s grade
River and rain flooding is 47% of the building damage FEMA expects in Captain Cook, and Captain Cook’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 34%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #79 of 93 in Hawaii; among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Captain Cook’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, Captain Cook has more expected damage per building than 85% of Hawaii towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.5M a year in losses across Captain Cook: $3.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Captain Cook flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Captain Cook. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Captain Cook isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hawaii County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Captain Cook
Disasters that paid out in Captain Cook itself (aid to households or repair grants to Captain Cook), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Earthquake209 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved
- 2026Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides45 households applied for aid$303K aid approved
- 2023Wildfires and High Winds1 households applied for aid$700 aid approved
- 2006Earthquake84 households applied for aid$136K aid approved
Hawaii County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Also 11 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Hawaii County, 2000–2026.
Old photos of Captain Cook after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Captain Cook archive →Captain Cook and its neighbors
Captain Cook is 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kealakekua | D−more damage than 98% | earthquakes | 6 |
| Captain Cook | D−among the highest damage | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Honaunau-Napoopoo | D−among the highest damage | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Captain Cook 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Keep N95 masks and goggles for ash.
- Know the evacuation routes.
- Keep ash out of the house and car vents.
- 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 Captain Cook
Is Captain Cook at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Captain Cook has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #79 of 93 in Hawaii. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (47%) and earthquakes (34%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Captain Cook 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 Hawaii County, 1.8% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Captain Cook?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Captain Cook’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 Captain Cook?
By FEMA money that reached Captain Cook, Earthquake (2026): 209 households applied for aid, $1.3M approved.
Is Captain Cook at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (47%), and Captain Cook’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Captain Cook.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Captain Cook’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.