The heavy downpour that flooded Kauaʻi in April of last year set a national record for the most rainfall in a 24-hour period. With 49.7 inches at Waipa Garden, Kauaʻi set the new record on April 14 and 15, 2018. The previous record of 43 inches was set close to Alvin, Texas on July 25... Continue Reading →
Flooding & Flash Floods During The Rainy Season in Hawai'i
For our new blog segment, Throwback Thursday, what could be better than watching an informative video from a few years back, about the wet season here in Hawai'i - and how to stay safe when experiencing flash flood or if you get caught outside during a storm. We don't have a cold season here in... Continue Reading →
FLOOD AFTER FIRE
Wildfires change the landscape, destroying root structure and creating top soil that could repel water instead of absorbing it. Debris flows and mudflows can occur up to five years after a wildfire. Debris flows can take homes off their foundations and can carry things like vegetation, trees, large boulders and vehicles. Mudflows on the other... Continue Reading →
Insurance against Extreme Events: Pairing Short-Term Incentives with Long-Term Strategies
Why do insurance companies classify certain types of risk as uninsurable? And why do insurance regulators prohibit insurers from setting premiums that reflect risk, particularly in locales that repeatedly suffer losses from natural disasters? The short answer is that insurance today is misunderstood and hence is not effectively meeting its most important objectives—to inform those... Continue Reading →
Flood Insurance Safeguards Common Areas of High-Rises
In a Kokua Line article by Christine Donnelly which appeared in the Star Advertiser on December 2, 2016 titled “Flood Insurance Safeguards Common Areas of High-Rises”, a reader asked: “ Why is flood insurance needed in high-rise condo units? My residence is on the 30th floor of a condominium inHonolulu. This condo is in a... Continue Reading →
Is your home required to have flood insurance FOREVER?
Oftentimes a potential buyer is looking for that certain something special when shopping for a new home or investment property. As a buyer, it is important to fully understand the financial obligation of such a huge commitment. Sometimes that commitment includes a buyer’s acceptance of the property’s increased risk from certain naturaldisasters such as being... Continue Reading →
Are we at the end of the line for the National Flood Insurance Program Reauthorization?
It is a question that is being asked by many experts in the field, flood insurance policy holders, federal and state employees that are directly affiliated with FEMA and NFIP. It is nothing new. Sadly, the potential for lapse has become increasingly common, with six short-term extensions of the program and two brief lapses... Continue Reading →