Photo: Travis.Thurston · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Kapaa faces more hazard damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kapaa gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #52 of 93 in Hawaii. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then tsunamis (25%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2012.
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 Kapaa 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 Kapaa’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kapaa, and Kapaa’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Tsunamis add 25%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #52 of 93 in Hawaii; higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kapaa’s residents live in 4 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, Kapaa has more expected damage per building than 55% of Hawaii towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.3M a year in losses across Kapaa: $7.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kapaa flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2012
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kapaa, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Kapaa 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.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kapaa
Disasters that paid out in Kapaa itself (aid to households or repair grants to Kapaa), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides34 households applied for aid$37K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides41 households applied for aid$31K 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 Kapaa after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kapaa archive →Kapaa and its neighbors
Kapaa has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kapaa | D−more damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Wailua Homesteads | D−more damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Wailua | D−more damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 48 |
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 Kapaa 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 Kapaa
Is Kapaa at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kapaa has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #52 of 93 in Hawaii. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and tsunamis (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kapaa flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Kapaa since 2012, $45K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Kapaa 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 Kapaa?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kapaa’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 Kapaa?
By FEMA money that reached Kapaa, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2018): 34 households applied for aid, $37K approved.
Is Kapaa at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Kapaa’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kapaa.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kapaa’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.