Honolulu, HI Flood Zone Lookup
Last updated: March 2026
Honolulu faces coastal flooding, tsunami risk, and flash flooding from streams draining the Ko'olau Range. Waikiki and other low-lying coastal areas are vulnerable to storm surge and sea level rise.
Honolulu County has recorded 2,797 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $57.7M 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
49,316
Honolulu County
Avg. Premium
$710/yr
Honolulu County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Honolulu 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
Very HighEst. annual loss: $329.7M
Coastal Flood Risk
Relatively ModerateEst. annual loss: $1.8M
Hurricane Risk
Relatively LowEst. annual loss: $880K
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Honolulu County
Honolulu County has been included in 9 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
...and 1 earlier declaration since 1974.
These declarations affected communities across Honolulu County, including Honolulu.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Honolulu County
Properties in Honolulu County have filed 2,797 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $57.7M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $21K.
Highest-Claim Years
2018
271 claims - $22.1M
1992
250 claims - $3.8M
2006
173 claims - $3.4M
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Honolulu County
Only roughly 1 in 8 households in Honolulu County carries NFIP flood insurance (12% of estimated households). This county has elevated flood risk with below-average insurance coverage, meaning many flood losses may go uninsured.
Penetration Rate
12%
roughly 1 in 8 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 17
2,797 claims over 45+ years across 49,316 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$20,625
Per claim, county-wide since 1978
Historically, Honolulu County has averaged 1 claim for every 17 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 Honolulu.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Honolulu
Honolulu 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 Honolulu are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $329.7M. Properties in Honolulu'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 Honolulu 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 Honolulu address.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Honolulu County
Honolulu County has 133 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
133
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 113 of 133 properties.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: Honolulu County
NOAA has recorded 218 flood events in Honolulu County since 1996, causing $88.1M in damage.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Honolulu County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 26 properties in Honolulu 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.
Honolulu, HI Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Honolulu, HI?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Honolulu 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 Honolulu?
If your Honolulu 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 Honolulu?
Enter your Honolulu 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 Honolulu?
According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Honolulu County (where Honolulu is located) has a "Very High" rating for inland flood risk. The estimated annual flood loss for the county is $329.7M. This county-level assessment considers historical flood losses, social vulnerability, and community resilience.
Has Honolulu experienced major flooding events?
Honolulu County, where Honolulu is located, has been part of 9 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 Honolulu?
Honolulu County has recorded 2,797 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $57.7M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2018, with 271 claims and $22.1M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Honolulu.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Honolulu?
Honolulu County currently has 49,316 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $710. The most policies are in Zone AE (31,453 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many Honolulu properties have flooded repeatedly?
Honolulu County has 133 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 Honolulu 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 Honolulu?
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 Honolulu'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 Honolulu, HI Address
Enter a Honolulu, 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.