Photo: 293.xx.xxx.xx · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Makawao than in 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Makawao gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #17 of 93 in Hawaii. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then earthquakes (22%). 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 Makawao 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
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 Makawao’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Makawao, and Makawao’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Volcanic activity adds 5%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #17 of 93 in Hawaii; higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Makawao’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, Makawao has less expected damage per building than 83% of Hawaii towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Makawao: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Makawao flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Makawao. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Makawao 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Makawao
Disasters that paid out in Makawao itself (aid to households or repair grants to Makawao), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides20 households applied for aid$89K aid approved
- 2023Wildfires and High Winds685 households applied for aid$59K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$6K 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 Makawao after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Makawao archive →Makawao and its neighbors
Makawao is 4th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pukalani | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Haiku-Pauwela | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Haliimaile | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Makawao | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Kula | Dmore damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Olinda | — | 873 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 Makawao 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.
- 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 Makawao
Is Makawao at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Makawao has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #17 of 93 in Hawaii. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and earthquakes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Makawao 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 Makawao?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Makawao’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 Makawao?
By FEMA money that reached Makawao, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2026): 20 households applied for aid, $89K approved.
Is Makawao at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Makawao’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Makawao.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Makawao’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.