FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Waialua than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from tsunamis
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waialua gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #74 of 93 in Hawaii. Most of that expected damage is tsunamis (52%), then river and rain flooding (41%). Flood insurance has paid 22 claims here since 2008.
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 stands out about Waialua’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Waialua 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
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 Waialua’s grade
Tsunamis are 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Waialua, and Waialua’s rate of tsunamis damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. River and rain flooding adds 41%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #74 of 93 in Hawaii; among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Waialua’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, Waialua has more expected damage per building than 79% of Hawaii towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across Waialua: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Waialua flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Waialua, from FEMA’s records: 17.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-03-KonaStorm21 claims · $1.2M
Waialua isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Honolulu County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Waialua
Disasters that paid out in Waialua itself (aid to households or repair grants to Waialua), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides327 households applied for aid$2.4M aid approved21 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding105 households applied for aid$221K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Honolulu County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Also 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Honolulu County, 2005–2025.
Old photos of Waialua after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Waialua archive →Waialua and its neighbors
Waialua has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. 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 Waialua 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.
- 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 Waialua
Is Waialua at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waialua has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #74 of 93 in Hawaii. Most of the expected damage is tsunamis (52%) and river and rain flooding (41%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Waialua flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in Waialua since 2008, $1.3M in all, or 17.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from 2026-03-KonaStorm (21).
Is Waialua 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 Honolulu County, 54% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Waialua?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Waialua’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 Waialua?
By FEMA money that reached Waialua, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2026): 327 households applied for aid, $2.4M approved. By flood claims, 2026-03-KonaStorm: 21 paid, $1.2M.
Is Waialua at risk from tsunamis?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Waialua’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Waialua.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Waialua’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.