Photo: Polihale Christopher P. Becker posla.com · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Hanapepe than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hanapepe gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #31 of 93 in Hawaii. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). 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 stands out about Hanapepe’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hanapepe 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
Tsunamis
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 Hanapepe’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hanapepe, and Hanapepe’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Tsunamis add 6%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #31 of 93 in Hawaii; higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Hanapepe’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Hawaii town has higher expected damage than 96% of U.S. towns; within the state, Hanapepe has less expected damage per building than 67% of Hawaii towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Hanapepe: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hanapepe flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Hanapepe. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Hanapepe isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kauai County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Hanapepe
Disasters that paid out in Hanapepe itself (aid to households or repair grants to Hanapepe), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides13 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
Kauai County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Hanapepe after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hanapepe archive →Hanapepe and its neighbors
Hanapepe is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eleele | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Hanapepe | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
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 Hanapepe 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.
- Strong shaking or a sudden drop in the sea means head for high ground now.
- Learn the tsunami route signs near the shore.
- Stay away until officials say it’s safe.
- 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 Hanapepe
Is Hanapepe at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hanapepe has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #31 of 93 in Hawaii. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%) and tsunamis (6%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Hanapepe 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 Kauai County, 7.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Hanapepe?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hanapepe’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 Hanapepe?
By FEMA money that reached Hanapepe, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2006): 13 households applied for aid, $7K approved.
Is Hanapepe at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Hanapepe’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hanapepe.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hanapepe’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.