Natural Disaster Risk in Hilo

Natural Hazard Profile: Hilo, Hawaii

Hilo, in Hawaii County, is a city of 52,979 residents situated in the Hawaiian archipelago in the central Pacific. Its tropical climate brings warm temperatures moderated by trade winds and high volcanic terrain, and in particular elevated rainfall from November through March. These conditions collectively define the natural hazard environment that Hilo residents and property owners must navigate.

Hilo's overall natural disaster risk is rated 5.6/10 (Moderate) by FEMA's National Risk Index. The threat of tsunami inundation tops the local coastal risk profile, requiring residents in low-lying areas to maintain awareness of evacuation routes and warning systems. Secondary hazards include volcano and earthquake.

Within Hawaii, Hilo's risk is, slightly above the 5.0/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Hawaii County identifies tsunami as the foremost hazard, followed by volcano and earthquake. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.

Hilo's moderate risk profile means that while catastrophic events are less frequent, they do occur. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers many common hazards here, but confirming that tsunami exposure is adequately protected is a worthwhile step for property owners.