News release from U.S. Small Business Association: Relief Still Available to Hawaiʻi Businesses Hit by April 2024 Flood The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Hawai'i of the Feb. 21, 2025 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by... Continue Reading →
New flood maps could affect Oʻahu homeowners
Hawai'i News Now By Edward ZhangPublished: Oct. 17, 2024
View Oʻahu’s Preliminary FIRM Maps
Flood risks change over time. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) works with communities across the country to identify flood hazards and promote ways to reduce the impacts and risks. Since 2019, FEMA has been conducting the Oʻahu Flood Hazard Restudy by performing detailed hydrologic and hydraulic studies using the latest high-quality data to analyze... Continue Reading →
FEMA Issues Preliminary FIRMS Based on Updated Flood Studies for Dozens of Streams on Oʻahu
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has delivered preliminary flood maps for the City and County of Honolulu. The maps identify updated flood hazards along numerous streams throughout Oʻahu. The flood maps will help building officials, contractors, and homeowners make effective mitigation decisions, thereby contributing to safer and more disaster resilient communities. FEMA distributed the... Continue Reading →
Funding to Make Communities More Resilient to Natural Hazards – Deadline Approaching
The State of Hawai'i Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) is administering the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) for the 2023 wildfire disaster (DR-4724). The notice of intent to apply for this funding opportunity is due to HI-EMA by 4:30pm HST on August 1, 2024. HMGP provides funding (25% local match, cash or in-kind, required) to counties... Continue Reading →
FEMA Raises Bar for Flood Protection with New FFRMS Rule
Source: ASFPM The Insider, July 2024 On July 10, FEMA finalized a rule requiring that projects built using its funds not only take into account previous and current levels of local flood risk, but for the first time consider the future risk of flooding, which is being exacerbated by climate change. The new Federal Flood... Continue Reading →
O‘ahu Flood Risk Survey – The Results Are In!
The City and County of Honolulu's Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency 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,... Continue Reading →
April 2024 Kauaʻi Flood Damage Reporting
Kauaʻi property owners: If your home or business was damaged as a result of the April 2024 storms, please complete the the appropriate damage reporting form. If you require assistance with the form, contact Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency (KEMA) at (808) 241-1800. The information you provide will help the County of Kauaʻi understand the scope... Continue Reading →
Survey: Help the City Improve Community Flood Awareness & Resilience
Don’t Lose What You Love in a Flood! Everyone on O‘ahu lives in a flood zone. While not everyone shares the same level of risk, anywhere it rains it can flood. During the past five years, O‘ahu residents participating in the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Flood Insurance Program have filed over 360 claims... Continue Reading →
4 Preparedness Valentine Cards to Give Your Loved Ones This Year
Emergency preparedness may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Valentine's Day, but it could be the most important gift you give your loved ones this year. Disasters can happen at any time, and having a starter emergency kit for the home or the road could make all the... Continue Reading →
