O‘ahu Flood Insurance Outreach Project
The Resilience Office recently conducted the O‘ahu Flood Risk Survey, and the results are in! One in three residents across the island reported having first- or second-hand experience with flooding. Everyone lives in a flood zone, and while some areas have lower or undetermined risk, there’s no such thing as a “no-risk” zone. We also heard repairs and recovery from flooding can be costly: the average cost for homeowners was around $30,000 while renters were more likely to pay $30,000 to $75,000 in losses. Nearly a quarter of respondents indicated the survey got them thinking about flood risk and flood insurance, and that residents need to know more about how to protect themselves from flood damage. Want to know more about your potential flood risk? Check out the Flood Hazard Assessment Tool.
The survey was open between February and March 2024, and a total of 1,046 residents across Oʻahu participated. The survey sought to better understand residents’ awareness of flood risk, knowledge of flood insurance, and experience with flooding events. Results will be used to inform enhanced City outreach and education to improve community flood awareness and resilience island-wide, including the benefits of flood insurance.
This project is supported by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Cooperating Technical Partnership program.
If you are considering flood insurance but are unsure where to find a provider, FEMA has a list of agencies participating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
The NFIP backs insurers so they are guaranteed to be there when you need them, which means your insurance won’t disappear when you experience a flood.
Flood insurance is a first line of defense to protect you and your family from the damages and costs associated with flooding. However, many residents were unsure if their current insurance policies cover flooding.
Click the button above to learn more about reading your policies to make sure you understand your coverage and always reach out to your provider if you have questions.
Aside from flood insurance, there are other simple ways to protect what you love. Installing gutters and downspouts, collecting rainwater in barrels, or checking low-lying areas around their place for standing water were actions residents took to reduce flooding impacts. The City’s Department of Emergency Management has more information, and here is a flyer with some quick tips.
Many of these actions can also help improve our island’s water quality and improve coral reef health! Healthy coral reefs protect our coastlines from flooding caused by waves and storm surges.