Earlier this year, the City and County of Honolulu asked households in high flood-risk areas on Oahu to take part in a survey aimed at understanding residents’ awareness of flood risk and insurance. More than 1,000 residents participated, according to a news release. 

What You Need To Know

  • The City and County of Honolulu released the results of a flood risk survey, which found that one-third of residents have first or second-hand experience with flood damage

  • Heavy rains were the highest reported cause of flooding, regardless of housing type

  • However, only one out of five currently have flood insurance

  • Find more information about preparing for flood events and the survey results here

Now, the City has released the results of the survey, which found that one-third of residents have first or second-hand experience with flood damage. Heavy rains were the highest reported cause of flooding, regardless of housing type.  

However, only one out of five currently have flood insurance. Most respondents have homeowner's insurance (82%) and hurricane insurance (59%), but many of them were not aware that these insurances do not cover certain types of water damage. 

Survey respondents reported the average repair cost was just over $42,000. According to the survey, flood recovery for renters takes longer and costs more — averaging about $75,000. The City encouraged renters to have flood insurance and to understand their policy. 

“We heard directly from the community that they are concerned about flooding and want to know more about flood insurance and other ways to mitigate their risk,” said Sarah Harris, hazard mitigation and long-term disaster recovery program manager of the Mayor’s Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency, in a statement. 

FEMA’s Cooperating Technical Partnership Program funded the survey. The City and County of Honolulu, State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, and flood insurance experts on Oahu helped design the survey. 

Climate change is increasing the number of flooding events in Hawaii. Over the last five years, Oahu residents taking part in FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program filed over 360 claims, totaling more than $27.4 million in loss and damage. Extreme flooding events in Waimanalo, Aina Haina, Hawaii Kai and North Shore affected many of the residents who filed claims. 

The survey was conducted before the consecutive storms in May that brought heavy rains, thunderstorms, and flooding to Oahu, and people’s opinions and attitudes may have changed. 

Find more information about preparing for flood events and the survey results here. 

Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com.

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