Residents of Hawaii, specifically those living near coastlines, streams, or major bodies of water, are being urged to consider getting flood insurance following the release of new flood risk maps by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The re-study conducted by FEMA in 2019 on Oahu identified new high-risk flood zones and led to significant updates to the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs).
Property owners within these high-risk zones are now required to purchase flood insurance, with some programs offering discounts to help ease the financial burden. Those enrolled in FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program can receive a 10% reduction in annual premiums.
To provide information and support to residents, federal and state agencies have organized an informational open house for Oahu residents, homeowners, and business owners. Virtual and in-person sessions are scheduled for November 4th and 6th, respectively, covering topics such as the FIRM update process, changes to flood insurance requirements, and ways to protect property from flooding.
Residents are encouraged to visit the Resilience Office’s website to see if their property is affected by the updated maps. The completion of the updated maps is expected in 2026, with the preliminary FIRMs available for viewing on FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center. Attendees of the informational sessions will receive valuable information on how to prepare for and mitigate the risks associated with flooding in Hawaii’s coastal areas.
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