Photo: en:User:Calbear22 · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Lahaina than in 95% of U.S. towns, led by tsunamis
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lahaina gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #40 of 93 in Hawaii. Most of that expected damage is tsunamis (45%), then river and rain flooding (35%). Flood insurance has paid 41 claims here since 1982.
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 Lahaina faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Tsunamis
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 Lahaina’s grade
Tsunamis are 45% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lahaina, and Lahaina’s rate of tsunamis damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 5%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D #40 of 93 in Hawaii; higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lahaina’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, Lahaina has less expected damage per building than 58% of Hawaii towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.4M a year in losses across Lahaina: $8.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lahaina flood? Sometimes: 41 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lahaina, from FEMA’s records: 11.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Iniki4 claims · $267K
Lahaina 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 Lahaina
Disasters that paid out in Lahaina itself (aid to households or repair grants to Lahaina), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides37 households applied for aid$115K aid approved
- 2023Wildfires and High Winds10,462 households applied for aid$87.5M 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 Lahaina after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lahaina archive →Lahaina and its neighbors
Lahaina is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kaanapali | Dmore damage than 94% | tsunamis | — |
| Lahaina | Dmore damage than 95% | tsunamis | 41 |
| Launiupoko | — | 679 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Lahaina faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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 Lahaina
Is Lahaina at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lahaina has higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #40 of 93 in Hawaii. Most of the expected damage is tsunamis (45%) and river and rain flooding (35%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lahaina flood?
Flood insurance has paid 41 claims in Lahaina since 1982, $983K in all, or 11.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Iniki (4).
Is Lahaina 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 Lahaina?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lahaina’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 Lahaina?
By FEMA money that reached Lahaina, Wildfires and High Winds (2023): 10,462 households applied for aid, $87.5M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Iniki: 4 paid, $267K.
Is Lahaina at risk from tsunamis?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (45%), and Lahaina’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lahaina.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lahaina’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.