Photo: Bonus Onus · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Waimea than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waimea gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #82 of 93 in Hawaii. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then earthquakes (17%). 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 stands out about Waimea’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Waimea 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
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 Waimea’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Waimea, and Waimea’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Earthquakes add 17%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #82 of 93 in Hawaii; among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Waimea’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, Waimea has more expected damage per building than 88% of Hawaii towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $19.0M a year in losses across Waimea: $17.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Waimea flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Waimea. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Waimea isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hawaii County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Waimea
Disasters that paid out in Waimea itself (aid to households or repair grants to Waimea), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Earthquake1 households applied for aid$390 aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides3 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
Hawaii County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Also 11 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Hawaii County, 2000–2026.
Old photos of Waimea after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Waimea archive →Get ready for what Waimea 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.
- 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 Waimea
Is Waimea at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waimea has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #82 of 93 in Hawaii. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and earthquakes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Waimea 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 Hawaii County, 1.8% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Waimea?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Waimea’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 Waimea?
By FEMA money that reached Waimea, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2006): 3 households applied for aid, $3K approved.
Is Waimea at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Waimea’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Waimea.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Waimea’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.