Natural Disaster Risk in Waipahu
Hawaii
Risk Summary for Waipahu
Waipahu scores 5.8/10 (Moderate risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Landslide.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Scores
How it compares
Live Conditions
🏠 What this means for insurance
Average risk — standard coverage usually sufficient
This area carries average natural disaster risk. A standard homeowners or renters policy should cover common events, but review the exclusions for floods and earthquakes, which are almost never included by default.
This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.
Natural Hazard Profile: Waipahu, Hawaii
Located in the Hawaiian archipelago in the central Pacific in Honolulu County, Waipahu is a city of 72,435 residents. The tropical climate that characterizes this part of Hawaii — marked by warm temperatures moderated by trade winds and high volcanic terrain — directly influences the types and severity of natural hazards present, making Waipahu a community where hazard awareness has real practical value.
Waipahu's overall natural disaster risk is rated 5.8/10 (Moderate) by FEMA's National Risk Index. Slope instability and debris flows are the primary natural hazard, driven by a combination of local geology, precipitation intensity, and terrain that creates susceptibility to failure. Secondary hazards include lightning and tsunami.
Relative to other U.S. communities, Waipahu's natural disaster risk is above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10, slightly above the 5.0/10 state average. The hazard distribution here is led by landslide and lightning, as measured by FEMA across Honolulu County. While city-specific sub-county variation exists, these scores represent the best available federal risk estimate.
With a moderate risk rating, Waipahu residents are well-served by maintaining standard preparedness practices — an emergency supply kit, awareness of local hazard seasonality, and insurance that covers the top local risks. Periodic review of coverage for landslide is recommended.
What this means for Waipahu: Landslide preparedness
- Standard insurance generally excludes landslide and earth-movement damage — ask about specialized coverage.
- Have an evacuation plan ready during periods of intense or prolonged rainfall.
- Watch for warning signs such as new cracks, tilting trees, or changes in water drainage on slopes.
Local Factors for Waipahu
These city-level factors differentiate Waipahu from other communities in Honolulu County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
72,435
UrbanGeographic Zone
Island / Pacific
High coastal + tsunami exposure
Climate Band
Tropical (Hawaii)
Latitude 21.4°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
Moderate — seasonal fire risk
Fire score: 9.9/10
Coordinates
21.4073° N, 158.0166° W
Honolulu County
Population and coordinates from SimpleMaps US Cities data. Hazard scores from FEMA National Risk Index. Geographic classification derived from coordinates.
Recent Climate Data for Waipahu
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in Waipahu
Other cities in Hawaii
Data source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Scores normalized to 1–10 across all US counties. City scores inherit county-level FEMA data. For informational purposes only.