Hilo, HI Flood Zone Lookup
Last updated: March 2026
Hilo is one of the wettest cities in the United States and has been devastated by tsunamis in 1946 and 1960. The city faces ongoing risk from flash flooding, riverine flooding, and Pacific Ocean storm surge.
Hawaii County has recorded 777 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $22.1M in payouts. Explore the full NFIP claims data by state and county to see how this area compares nationally.
FEMA Region
Region 9
NFIP Policies
4,912
Hawaii County
Avg. Premium
$1,009/yr
Hawaii County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Hawaii County
Based on FEMA's National Risk Index, which evaluates flood risk at the county level using historical loss data, exposure, and vulnerability.
Inland Flood Risk
Relatively HighEst. annual loss: $185.3M
Coastal Flood Risk
Relatively LowEst. annual loss: $125K
Hurricane Risk
Relatively LowEst. annual loss: $447K
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Hawaii County
Hawaii County has been included in 6 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
...and 1 earlier declaration since 1979.
These declarations affected communities across Hawaii County, including Hilo.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Hawaii County
Properties in Hawaii County have filed 777 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $22.1M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $28K.
Highest-Claim Years
2011
104 claims - $10.5M
1980
79 claims - $748K
2000
72 claims - $1.8M
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Hawaii County
Only roughly 1 in 16 households in Hawaii County carries NFIP flood insurance (6% of estimated households). This county has elevated flood risk with below-average insurance coverage, meaning many flood losses may go uninsured.
Penetration Rate
6%
roughly 1 in 16 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 6
777 claims over 45+ years across 4,912 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$28,461
Per claim, county-wide since 1978
Historically, Hawaii County has averaged 1 claim for every 6 active policies (since 1978). This compares cumulative claims against today's policy count and does not predict future claim likelihood.
Coverage data: NFIP policies as of March 2026, claims since 1978 (March 2026), population from FEMA NRI. All figures are county-wide and include Hilo.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Hilo
Hilo faces a combination of coastal and inland flood risks. Storm surge from hurricanes and tropical storms pushes seawater inland, while heavy rainfall simultaneously overwhelms rivers, bayous, and drainage infrastructure. This dual threat means flooding can come from multiple directions at once. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Hilo are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $185.3M. Properties in Hilo's VE zones face additional wave action risk beyond still-water flooding, which typically results in higher insurance premiums and stricter building requirements.
Combined coastal and inland flood exposure in Hilo means properties may face higher premiums than areas with only one flood source. FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0 accounts for multiple flood sources, including coastal surge distance, river proximity, and rainfall-driven flooding. If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance.
Flood maps in areas with combined coastal and inland risk are among the most complex in the FEMA system. Major storms often trigger FEMA restudies that can significantly shift zone boundaries. Letters of Map Revision (LOMR) after hurricanes may expand SFHA coverage as new storm data is incorporated. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Hilo address.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Hawaii County
Hawaii County has 48 properties with multiple flood insurance losses, including 13 severe repetitive loss properties. Severe repetitive loss is a subset of multiple loss, not a separate count. Data sourced March 2026.
Multiple Loss
48
2+ claims within 10 years
Severe Repetitive Loss
13
4+ claims or 2 exceeding value
Mitigated
0
Received FEMA mitigation
By Flood Zone
Zone data available for 45 of 48 properties.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: Hawaii County
NOAA has recorded 220 flood events in Hawaii County since 1996, causing $88.0M in damage and 5 deaths.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Hawaii County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 19 properties in Hawaii County, investing $0 in flood risk reduction. Common mitigation actions include acquisition (buying and demolishing flood-prone structures), elevation (raising buildings above flood level), and safe rooms (wind/storm shelters for tornado and hurricane protection).
By Action Type
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced March 2026.
Hilo, HI Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Hilo, HI?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Hilo are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone X. Properties in these high-risk zones (SFHA) may require flood insurance with a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage.
Is flood insurance required in Hilo?
If your Hilo property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not federally required to carry flood insurance, though coverage is still recommended since over 40% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.
How do I check my flood zone in Hilo?
Enter your Hilo address in the search tool above for an instant flood zone determination. Results include your FEMA flood zone, SFHA status, base flood elevation (if available), and FIRM panel information, pulled directly from FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer.
How high is flood risk in Hilo?
According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Hawaii County (where Hilo is located) has a "Relatively High" rating for inland flood risk. The estimated annual flood loss for the county is $185.3M. This county-level assessment considers historical flood losses, social vulnerability, and community resilience.
Has Hilo experienced major flooding events?
Hawaii County, where Hilo is located, has been part of 6 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Hurricane Douglas in 2020. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Hilo?
Hawaii County has recorded 777 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $22.1M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2011, with 104 claims and $10.5M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Hilo.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Hilo?
Hawaii County currently has 4,912 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $1,009. The most policies are in Zone X (1,845 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many Hilo properties have flooded repeatedly?
Hawaii County has 48 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 13 severe repetitive loss properties. These are properties that have experienced four or more NFIP claims of $5,000+ or two claims exceeding the building value.
Can my Hilo property be removed from a high-risk flood zone?
Yes, if your property's natural ground elevation is above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in a high-risk zone, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). A successful LOMA removes the property from the Special Flood Hazard Area, generally eliminating the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement. You will need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor. If a property was raised above the BFE with fill material, the process is a LOMR-F rather than a LOMA.
What is Base Flood Elevation in Hilo?
Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the predicted height of floodwaters during a 1% annual chance (100-year) flood, shown on FEMA maps as an elevation number in feet above sea level. In Hilo's Zone AE and Zone VE areas, BFE lines appear on the FIRM as wavy contours labeled with elevation values. Properties with a lowest floor at or above the BFE typically qualify for significantly lower NFIP flood insurance premiums.
Understanding Flood Zones
Look Up Any Hilo, HI Address
Enter a Hilo, HI address to instantly check its FEMA flood zone designation, SFHA status, and insurance requirements.
Disclaimer: Flood risk data on this page is sourced from FEMA datasets including the National Risk Index, NFIP claims and policy records, disaster declarations, and the Community Rating System. These datasets were last extracted on March 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. This page is for informational purposes only and is not a certified flood zone determination. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.