Kauai County Disaster Risk
Kauai County, Hawaii
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Moderate
National Percentile
84th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#4
of 5 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
91th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Moderate
Higher than 91% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Moderate
Higher than 93% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 2% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 43% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 65% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Kauai County, Hawaii
Kauai County faces moderate disaster risk nationwide
With a composite risk score of 84.45, Kauai County ranks as relatively moderate risk — above the national average but notably lower than several other Hawaiian counties. This score reflects the island's geographic exposure combined with natural hazard vulnerabilities.
Third-safest county among Hawaii's four
Kauai County's 84.45 score places it above Hawaii's state average of 74.99 by 9 points, ranking it safer than Hawaii and Honolulu counties but riskier than Kalawao. This moderate positioning reflects the island's balance of exposure and natural protections.
Safer than neighboring Hawaii and Honolulu counties
Kauai County's 84.45 risk score sits substantially below Hawaii County's 98.51 and Honolulu's 98.76, though slightly above Maui County's 93.13. The island's geographic isolation and terrain characteristics contribute to this relative moderation.
Flooding and wildfires present the primary hazards
Flood risk reaches 90.62 here — Kauai's highest hazard score — while wildfire risk scores 93.07, reflecting the island's diverse terrain from lush valleys to dry slopes. Earthquake risk of 42.84 represents moderate concern compared to other Hawaiian islands.
Flood and wildfire coverage strengthens your protection
Kauai County residents should prioritize flood insurance and discuss wildfire protection with their agents, as standard policies typically exclude both. Adding these specialized coverages addresses the island's most significant natural hazard threats.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Kauai County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Kauai County
Risk Verdict
Natural hazard risk in Kauai County is higher than the majority of U.S. counties, with a national composite rank of 84th. Kauai County's elevated composite score reflects cumulative multi-hazard exposure; households should prepare for the county's two or three primary hazard types.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Kauai County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 93th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 91th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (65th percentile), earthquake (43th percentile), tornado (2th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 93th percentile nationally for wildfire, Kauai County residents should verify whether their insurance policy includes replacement cost coverage for structures and whether the insurer still writes new policies in this fire-risk zone. The county's flood exposure at the 91th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Local USFS or Cal Fire (where applicable) fire risk maps and seasonal Red Flag Warning alerts from the National Weather Service are two free resources Kauai County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.
Regional Context
A composite score 9.5 points above the Hawaii state average puts Kauai County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Kauai County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Kauai County, HI?
What types of natural hazards affect Kauai County?
How does Kauai County risk compare to the Hawaii average?
Is Kauai County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Kauai County higher risk than average?
Data Source
Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.
Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.