Wailuku School · Photo: Joel Bradshaw · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Wailuku faces more hazard damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wailuku gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #26 of 93 in Hawaii. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then earthquakes (29%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1980.
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 Wailuku 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
Tsunamis
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 Wailuku’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wailuku, and Wailuku’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Tsunamis add 11%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #26 of 93 in Hawaii; higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wailuku’s residents live in 6 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, Wailuku has less expected damage per building than 73% of Hawaii towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.1M a year in losses across Wailuku: $10.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wailuku flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wailuku, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-03-KonaStorm1 claim · $25K
Wailuku 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 Wailuku
Disasters that paid out in Wailuku itself (aid to households or repair grants to Wailuku), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides139 households applied for aid$701K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2023Wildfires and High Winds1,568 households applied for aid$81K 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 Wailuku after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wailuku archive →Wailuku and its neighbors
Wailuku is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waikapu | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Wailuku | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Waihee-Waiehu | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Kahului | D−more damage than 97% | tsunamis | 13 |
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 Wailuku 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.
- 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.
- 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 Wailuku
Is Wailuku at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wailuku has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #26 of 93 in Hawaii. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and earthquakes (29%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wailuku flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Wailuku since 1980, $287K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from 2026-03-KonaStorm (1).
Is Wailuku 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 Wailuku?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wailuku’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 Wailuku?
By FEMA money that reached Wailuku, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2026): 139 households applied for aid, $701K approved. By flood claims, 2026-03-KonaStorm: 1 paid, $25K.
Is Wailuku at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Wailuku’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wailuku.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wailuku’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.