More hazard damage per building is expected in Lawai than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lawai gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #33 of 93 in Hawaii. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then wildfire (23%). 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 Lawai 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
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 Lawai’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lawai, and Lawai’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 23%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D #33 of 93 in Hawaii; higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lawai’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, Lawai has less expected damage per building than 65% of Hawaii towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Lawai: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lawai flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Lawai. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Lawai 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 Lawai
Disasters that paid out in Lawai itself (aid to households or repair grants to Lawai), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides3 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides6 households applied for aid$7K 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 Lawai after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lawai archive →Lawai and its neighbors
Lawai is 3rd 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 Lawai 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.
- 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 Lawai
Is Lawai at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lawai has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #33 of 93 in Hawaii. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and wildfire (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Lawai 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 Lawai?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lawai’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 Lawai?
By FEMA money that reached Lawai, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2006): 6 households applied for aid, $7K approved.
Is Lawai at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Lawai’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lawai.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lawai’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.