Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Caracas1830 assumed (based on copyright claims). · CC BY-SA 2.5On FEMA’s figures, Koloa faces more hazard damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Koloa gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #15 of 93 in Hawaii. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Koloa 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
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 Koloa’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Koloa, and Koloa’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 5%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D #15 of 93 in Hawaii; higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Koloa’s residents live in 2 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, Koloa has less expected damage per building than 85% of Hawaii towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across Koloa: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Koloa flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Koloa. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Koloa 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 Koloa
Disasters that paid out in Koloa itself (aid to households or repair grants to Koloa), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides26 households applied for aid$46K aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides14 households applied for aid$11K 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 Koloa after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Koloa archive →Koloa and its neighbors
Koloa 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 Koloa 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.
- 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 Koloa
Is Koloa at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Koloa has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #15 of 93 in Hawaii. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Koloa 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 Koloa?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Koloa’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 Koloa?
By FEMA money that reached Koloa, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2018): 26 households applied for aid, $46K approved.
Is Koloa at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Koloa’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Koloa.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Koloa’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.