Makawao Union Church · Photo: Joel Bradshaw · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Paia than in 96% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Paia gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #50 of 93 in Hawaii. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (45%), then tsunamis (34%). 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 Paia 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
Tsunamis
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 Paia’s grade
River and rain flooding is 45% of the building damage FEMA expects in Paia, and Paia’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Tsunamis add 34%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #50 of 93 in Hawaii; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Paia’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Hawaii town has higher expected damage than 96% of U.S. towns; within the state, Paia has more expected damage per building than 53% of Hawaii towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Paia: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Paia flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Paia. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Paia 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 Paia
Disasters that paid out in Paia itself (aid to households or repair grants to Paia), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides13 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2023Wildfires and High Winds84 households applied for aid$4K 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 Paia after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Paia archive →Get ready for what Paia 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.
- 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.
- 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 Paia
Is Paia at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Paia has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #50 of 93 in Hawaii. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (45%) and tsunamis (34%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Paia 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 Paia?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Paia’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 Paia?
By FEMA money that reached Paia, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2026): 13 households applied for aid, $5K approved.
Is Paia at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (45%), and Paia’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Paia.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Paia’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.