Kauai County, Hawaii Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · HI
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 84th
Kauai County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 84.4, 84th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $61M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Kauai County at medium composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 84.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 84th national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Kauai County's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $166K in expected annual loss and about 0.17 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $48M in expected annual loss and about 5.82 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $61M in expected annual loss for a population of 73K.
Beyond physical exposure, Kauai County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Kauai County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 5 for hurricane events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides (flood), declared in June 2024.
Among 5 Hawaii counties, Kauai County ranks #4 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 0.17 / yr | $166K |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $3M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 5.82 / yr | $48M |
| Lightning | High | 78.70 / yr | $1M |
| Tsunami | Medium | 0.66 / yr | $9M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.10 / yr | $395K |
| Coastal Flood | Low | 0.26 / yr | $140K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $210K |
| Drought | Very Low | 4.18 / yr | $18K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $5K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $6K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Kauai County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides in June 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (5), Flood (4), Severe Storm (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| June 2024 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides |
| July 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Douglas |
| July 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Lane |
| September 2018 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Olivia |
| August 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Lane |
| May 2018 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| April 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides |
Showing the 10 most recent of 17 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Kauai County?
Kauai County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 84.4 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 84th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Kauai County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $166K EAL), Wildfire (Medium, $3M EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $48M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Kauai County compare to other Hawaii counties?
Kauai County ranks #4 of 5 Hawaii counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Kauai County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Kauai County since 1974, most often 5 for hurricane events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides, declared in June 2024.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Kauai County's $61M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.