FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Kaneohe than in 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kaneohe gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #5 of 93 in Hawaii. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%), then earthquakes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 26 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 Kaneohe 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 Kaneohe’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kaneohe, and Kaneohe’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Tsunamis add 4%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #5 of 93 in Hawaii; higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kaneohe’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, Kaneohe has less expected damage per building than 96% of Hawaii towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.7M a year in losses across Kaneohe: $9.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kaneohe flood? Sometimes: 26 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kaneohe, from FEMA’s records: 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-03-KonaStorm1 claim · $30K
Kaneohe 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kaneohe
Disasters that paid out in Kaneohe itself (aid to households or repair grants to Kaneohe), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides69 households applied for aid$445K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding12 households applied for aid$34K aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides45 households applied for aid$77K aid approved2 flood claims paid 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 Kaneohe after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kaneohe archive →Kaneohe and its neighbors
Kaneohe has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kaneohe | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Heeia | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Kaneohe Base | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Kailua | Dmore damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 257 |
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 Kaneohe 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 Kaneohe
Is Kaneohe at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kaneohe has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #5 of 93 in Hawaii. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and earthquakes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kaneohe flood?
Flood insurance has paid 26 claims in Kaneohe since 1980, $458K in all, or 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from 2026-03-KonaStorm (1).
Is Kaneohe 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 Kaneohe?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kaneohe’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 Kaneohe?
By FEMA money that reached Kaneohe, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2026): 69 households applied for aid, $445K approved. By flood claims, 2026-03-KonaStorm: 1 paid, $30K.
Is Kaneohe at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Kaneohe’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kaneohe.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kaneohe’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.