Holy Ghost Catholic Church · Photo: Joel Bradshaw · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Kula than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kula gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #38 of 93 in Hawaii. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then earthquakes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2025.
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 Kula 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
Wildfire
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 Kula’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kula, and Kula’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 9%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D #38 of 93 in Hawaii; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kula’s residents live in 3 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, Kula has less expected damage per building than 60% of Hawaii towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.2M a year in losses across Kula: $4.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kula flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2025
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kula, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Kula isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Maui County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kula
Disasters that paid out in Kula itself (aid to households or repair grants to Kula), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides102 households applied for aid$370K aid approved
- 2023Wildfires and High Winds1,135 households applied for aid$852K aid approved
Maui County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Also 9 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Maui County, 2006–2025.
Old photos of Kula after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kula archive →Kula and its neighbors
Kula is 3rd of the 4 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 Kula 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Kula
Is Kula at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kula has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #38 of 93 in Hawaii. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and earthquakes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kula flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Kula since 2025, $54K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Kula 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 Maui County, 4.8% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Kula?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kula’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 Kula?
By FEMA money that reached Kula, Wildfires and High Winds (2023): 1,135 households applied for aid, $852K approved.
Is Kula at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Kula’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kula.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kula’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.