Waiakea Mission Station-Hilo Station · Photo: W Nowicki · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect more hazard damage per building than Hilo, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hilo gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #84 of 93 in Hawaii. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%), then earthquakes (27%). Flood insurance has paid 141 claims here since 1978.
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 Hilo’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hilo 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
Tsunamis
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 Hilo’s grade
River and rain flooding is 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hilo, and Hilo’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 27%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #84 of 93 in Hawaii; among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hilo’s residents live in 10 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, Hilo has more expected damage per building than 90% of Hawaii towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $123M a year in losses across Hilo: $103M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hilo flood? Yes: 141 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hilo, from FEMA’s records: 7.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Lane9 claims · $459K
- The 2025 July West Coast Tsunami1 claim · $86K
Hilo 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hilo
Disasters that paid out in Hilo itself (aid to households or repair grants to Hilo), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Earthquake11 households applied for aid$19K aid approved
- 2026Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides51 households applied for aid$163K aid approved
- 2023Wildfires and High Winds4 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2018Kilauea Volcanic Eruption and Earthquakes46 households applied for aid$2K aid approved9 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Earthquake67 households applied for aid$98K 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 Hilo after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hilo archive →Hilo and its neighbors
Hilo has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hilo | D−among the highest damage | river and rain flooding | 141 |
| Wainaku | — | 967 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Hilo 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.
- 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.
- 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 Hilo
Is Hilo at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hilo has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #84 of 93 in Hawaii. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%) and earthquakes (27%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hilo flood?
Flood insurance has paid 141 claims in Hilo since 1978, $3.3M in all, or 7.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Lane (9).
Is Hilo 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 Hilo?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hilo’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 Hilo?
By FEMA money that reached Hilo, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2026): 51 households applied for aid, $163K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Lane: 9 paid, $459K.
Is Hilo at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Hilo’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hilo.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hilo’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.