Storms, floods and disasters in Kamaili
Kamaili isn’t graded for hazard risk: Kamaili has 221 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 15 claims here since 1986.
What Kamaili 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.
Does Kamaili flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kamaili, from FEMA’s records.
- Hurricane Iselle5 claims · $315K
Kamaili 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.The storms Kamaili remembers
None of the 20 disasters declared for Hawaii County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Kamaili itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 201411 flood claims paidThe year of Pu'u O'o Volcanic Eruption and Lava Flow, declared for Hawaii County
- 19863 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20181 flood claims paidThe year of Tropical Storm Olivia, declared for Hawaii County
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 Kamaili after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kamaili archive →Kamaili and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leilani Estates | 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 Kamaili 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 Kamaili
Does Kamaili flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Kamaili since 1986, $880K in all. The most claims came from Hurricane Iselle (5).
Is Kamaili 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 Kamaili?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kamaili’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 Kamaili?
By flood claims, Hurricane Iselle: 5 paid, $315K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kamaili.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kamaili’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.