Maui County Disaster Risk
Maui County, Hawaii
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Moderate
National Percentile
93th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#3
of 5 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
94th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Moderate
Higher than 94% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively High
Higher than 95% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 6% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively High
Higher than 97% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 70% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Maui County, Hawaii
Maui County faces relatively moderate disaster risk
With a composite risk score of 93.13, Maui County ranks as relatively moderate risk — above the national average but lower than several peer counties. This score reflects significant exposure to island-specific hazards that residents actively manage.
Second-safest county in Hawaii overall
Maui County's 93.13 score exceeds Hawaii's state average of 74.99 by 18 points, ranking it safer than Hawaii and Honolulu counties. Only Kalawao County presents lower composite risk statewide.
Safer than Big Island but riskier than Kauai
Maui County's 93.13 score sits below Hawaii County's 98.51 and Honolulu's 98.76, but slightly above Kauai County's 84.45. This positioning reflects the county's middle-ground exposure across Hawaii's hazard landscape.
Earthquakes, floods, and wildfires drive risk profile
Earthquake risk scores 97.14 — Maui County's highest hazard — while flood risk reaches 93.67 and wildfire risk 95.26. Hurricane risk of 69.50 adds seasonal concern during peak Pacific storm season.
Earthquake and flood insurance are critical safeguards
Maui County homeowners should secure both earthquake and flood coverage beyond standard policies, given the county's substantial exposure to these hazards. Working with a local insurance professional ensures your protection strategy addresses all major island threats.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Maui County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Maui County
Risk Verdict
With a composite score at the 93th percentile, Maui County sits above the national median for natural hazard exposure. Proactive preparedness — not reactive response — is key to managing life in one of the country's higher-risk counties; Maui County residents should plan accordingly.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is Maui County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 97th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 95th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (94th percentile), hurricane (70th percentile), tornado (6th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 97th percentile nationally for earthquake exposure, Maui County households benefit from practicing Drop, Cover, and Hold On — the protocol that minimizes injury during shaking. Getting under a sturdy table or desk and holding on until shaking stops is the key action. Alongside earthquake exposure, Maui County's wildfire risk at the 95th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. Building age matters for earthquake risk in Maui County: structures built before local seismic code adoption are statistically more vulnerable. Contacting the local building department about retrofit programs can reveal whether your structure qualifies for mitigation assistance.
Regional Context
At 18.1 points above the Hawaii state average, Maui County carries meaningfully higher natural disaster exposure than a typical Hawaii county.
Is your household prepared for Maui County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Maui County, HI?
What types of natural hazards affect Maui County?
How does Maui County risk compare to the Hawaii average?
Is Maui County at risk for earthquake?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Maui 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.