FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Heeia than in 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Heeia gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #7 of 93 in Hawaii. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%), then earthquakes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 15 claims here since 1980.
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 Heeia 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
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 Heeia’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Heeia, and Heeia’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 3%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #7 of 93 in Hawaii; higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Heeia’s residents live in 3 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, Heeia has less expected damage per building than 93% of Hawaii towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Heeia: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Heeia flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Heeia, from FEMA’s records: 8.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-03-KonaStorm4 claims · $102K
Heeia 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.The storms Heeia remembers
None of the 18 disasters declared for Honolulu County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Heeia itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20265 flood claims paidThe year of Tropical Storm Nolo, declared for Honolulu County
- 19802 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20162 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
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 Heeia after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Heeia archive →Heeia and its neighbors
Heeia 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 Heeia 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.
- 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 Heeia
Is Heeia at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Heeia has higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #7 of 93 in Hawaii. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and earthquakes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Heeia flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Heeia since 1980, $405K in all, or 8.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from 2026-03-KonaStorm (4).
Is Heeia 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 Heeia?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Heeia’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 Heeia?
By flood claims, 2026-03-KonaStorm: 4 paid, $102K.
Is Heeia at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Heeia’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Heeia.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Heeia’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.