Thousands of homeowners may need flood insurance, new flood maps released
HONOLULU (KHON2) — According to a new flood hazard map by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, thousands of homes in Honolulu now fall within a flood zone. It's a designation that could require many to carry flood insurance.
Get Hawaii's latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You
In spring 2018, Jamie Ramirez's Niu Valley home saw between two to two and a half feet of water due to flooding.
Like dozens of others in Aina Haina, Ramirez was devastated by the flood. He is grateful he had flood insurance because he lives in a flood zone.
Heavy downpours hit Hawaii Island, shelters opened
FEMA, DPP and DLNR recently updated its flood insurance rate map for Oahu with the proposed changes impacting thousands of homeowners and businesses.
"The most important zones on those flood maps are also what are called special flood hazard areas," said Eric Simmons, FEMA mapping.
They said they have a 1% chance of flooding every year. Anyone in the special flood hazard area would be required to carry flood insurance if they have a federally backed mortgage or loan.
"There are approximately 172,000 parcels on Oahu. Currently, 15,000 parcels are located within special flood hazard areas," explained DPP planner Mario Lee.
Lee said the revision would bump the number up to 18,700.
KHON2 met with Richard Lim, whose home now falls within the proposed flood zone and asked how he feels about having to buy flood insurance.
"I think it should be voluntary because something is their house, it's their responsibility," said Lim.
Ramirez sees it differently.
"It is important to have if you are in low-lying areas because otherwise you have nothing else. The other insurance don't kick in so you need to have it," Ramirez added.
The good news is the FEMA program allows homeowners in those areas discounted flood insurance.
Find more Hawaii, Oahu, Maui and Kauai news here
"Property owners have been receiving a 10% discount in their flood insurance premium for the past three years," said Lee.
The proposed flood map is still preliminary and FEMA is asking for community input. More information on the upcoming forum can be found on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center .
