S&P 500—Dow—NASDAQ—Russell 2000—FTSE 100—DAX—CAC 40—Nikkei—Hang Seng—ASX 200—ALEX—ALK—BOH—CPF—CYAN—FHB—HE—MATX—MLP—NVDA—AAPL—GOOGL—GOOG—MSFT—AMZN—META—AVGO—TSLA—BRK.B—WMT—LLY—JPM—V—XOM—JNJ—MA—MU—COST—BAC—ORCL—ABBV—HD—PG—CVX—NFLX—KO—AMD—GE—CAT—PEP—MRK—ADBE—DIS—UNH—CSCO—INTC—CRM—PM—MCD—ACN—TMO—NEE—BMY—DHR—HON—RTX—UPS—TXN—LIN—QCOM—AMGN—SPGI—INTU—COP—LOW—AMAT—BKNG—AXP—DE—LMT—MDT—CB—ADP—GILD—MDLZ—SYK—BLK—C—ADI—REGN—SBUX—NOW—CI—VRTX—ZTS—MMC—PLD—SO—DUK—CMCSA—APD—BSX—BDX—EOG—ICE—ISRG—SLB—LRCX—PGR—USB—SCHW—ELV—ITW—KLAC—WM—EQIX—ETN—TGT—MO—HCA—APTV—BTC—ETH—XRP—USDT—SOL—BNB—USDC—DOGE—ADA—STETH—S&P 500—Dow—NASDAQ—Russell 2000—FTSE 100—DAX—CAC 40—Nikkei—Hang Seng—ASX 200—ALEX—ALK—BOH—CPF—CYAN—FHB—HE—MATX—MLP—NVDA—AAPL—GOOGL—GOOG—MSFT—AMZN—META—AVGO—TSLA—BRK.B—WMT—LLY—JPM—V—XOM—JNJ—MA—MU—COST—BAC—ORCL—ABBV—HD—PG—CVX—NFLX—KO—AMD—GE—CAT—PEP—MRK—ADBE—DIS—UNH—CSCO—INTC—CRM—PM—MCD—ACN—TMO—NEE—BMY—DHR—HON—RTX—UPS—TXN—LIN—QCOM—AMGN—SPGI—INTU—COP—LOW—AMAT—BKNG—AXP—DE—LMT—MDT—CB—ADP—GILD—MDLZ—SYK—BLK—C—ADI—REGN—SBUX—NOW—CI—VRTX—ZTS—MMC—PLD—SO—DUK—CMCSA—APD—BSX—BDX—EOG—ICE—ISRG—SLB—LRCX—PGR—USB—SCHW—ELV—ITW—KLAC—WM—EQIX—ETN—TGT—MO—HCA—APTV—BTC—ETH—XRP—USDT—SOL—BNB—USDC—DOGE—ADA—STETH—

Coastal Property Owners Face Heightened Storm Surge Risk Ahead of Hurricane Season

·7 min read·👀 Watch

Executive Summary

New storm surge mapping tools offer more precise flood predictions for Hawaii's coastlines, crucial for property protection and disaster preparedness as hurricane season begins. Real estate owners should review updated evacuation zones and flood risk assessments for their properties. Tourism operators must integrate this enhanced data into their operational contingency plans.

  • Real Estate Owners: Increased awareness of precise flood inundation areas and evacuation routes.
  • Tourism Operators: Enhanced ability to prepare for and communicate potential disruptions to guests.
  • Action: Review updated maps, update disaster plans, and communicate risks to stakeholders.

Watch & Prepare

High Priority

Hurricane season is approaching, and ignoring these enhanced warnings could lead to unpreparedness for severe weather events impacting coastal properties and guest safety.

Monitor the National Weather Service and HI-EMA for storm surge forecasts and tropical cyclone advisories. Review updated storm surge maps and evacuation zones for properties. Integrate this precise data into disaster preparedness and guest communication plans. Be prepared to escalate to 'Act Now' protocols if a tropical storm or hurricane is forecast to impact the islands within 72 hours.

Who's Affected
Real Estate OwnersTourism Operators
Ripple Effects
  • →Enhanced flood risk assessment leads to potentially higher insurance premiums for coastal properties, increasing operating costs for real estate owners and potentially impacting rental prices.
  • →More precise evacuation alerts could trigger earlier, localized business disruptions for tourism operators, affecting visitor experience and overall tourism revenue.
  • →Increased awareness of coastal vulnerability may shift investor focus away from high-risk coastal developments, encouraging developers to prioritize resilient or inland projects.
  • →More accurate storm surge predictions can refine emergency response resource allocation, potentially leading to more efficient public safety operations during severe weather events.
Powerful waves crash against a pier and lighthouse under dark stormy skies.
Photo by GEORGE DESIPRIS

The Change

Leading up to the official start of hurricane season, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) and the National Weather Service (NWS) have rolled out enhanced storm surge forecasting tools. These new systems provide more localized and precise predictions of coastal flooding during tropical cyclones and hurricanes. The aim is to offer clearer warnings for inundation zones and evacuation areas, enabling more targeted and effective responses to severe weather events.

Who's Affected

Real Estate Owners

The enhanced storm surge maps provide property owners, developers, and property managers with a more granular understanding of coastal flood risks. This means potentially more accurate determinations of properties falling within high-risk inundation zones, which could influence insurance premiums, rebuilding decisions, and long-term development strategies. Updated evacuation zone data will also be critical for ensuring tenant safety and compliance with emergency protocols. The NWS will now offer tailored storm surge forecasts on a county-by-county basis down to the neighborhood level.

Tourism Operators

Hotels, vacation rental managers, and tour operators in coastal areas must use these new tools to refine their hurricane preparedness and guest communication strategies. Precise inundation forecasts can help in making timely decisions about evacuations, property closures, and itinerary adjustments. Understanding specific flood risks to properties and transport routes is vital for maintaining guest safety and minimizing business disruption. Early warnings can facilitate proactive measures, such as advising guests on potential travel disruptions or offering flexibility on bookings.

Second-Order Effects

  • Enhanced flood risk assessment → increased insurance premiums for coastal properties → higher operating costs for real estate owners → potential rent increases or reduced property values.
  • More precise evacuation alerts → potential for earlier, localized business disruptions → impact on visitor experience and tourism revenue → increased demand for inland accommodation and services.
  • Increased awareness of coastal vulnerability → potential shift in investor interest away from high-risk coastal developments → pressure on developers to focus on resilient or inland projects.

What to Do

Given the "WATCH" action level, the focus is on monitoring and preparedness. Hurricane season officially begins on June 1st and runs through November 30th. The new tools are available now and should be integrated into existing risk management frameworks.

Real Estate Owners:

  • Monitor: Regularly check the National Weather Service's hurricane preparedness page and county-specific emergency management advisories for current storm surge forecasts and tropical cyclone watches/warnings.
  • Review: Familiarize yourself with the new storm surge maps and evacuation zone details applicable to your properties. Understand the potential for increased risk in specific areas.
  • Update: Revise your property's disaster preparedness and evacuation plans to incorporate the latest information. Ensure communication protocols with tenants and property managers are updated.

Tourism Operators:

  • Monitor: Track NWS storm surge advisories and HI-EMA updates, paying close attention to the localization of warnings. Monitor airline capacity and travel advisories for Hawaii.
  • Integrate: Incorporate the new storm surge data into your operational contingency and crisis management plans. Use this information to inform guest communications about potential weather-related disruptions.
  • Communicate: Proactively inform guests about potential weather impacts, especially those staying in coastal properties. Clearly outline your property's emergency procedures and evacuation policies, referencing the updated official guidance.

Trigger Condition for "Act Now" Phase: A named tropical storm or hurricane is forecast to make landfall or significantly impact Hawaii within 72 hours. At this point, businesses should act on their updated contingency plans, including guest notifications, potential evacuations, and securing assets.

More from us

Related Articles

Aerial shot of firefighting base with planes, trucks, and personnel in a rural area of Brazil.
Policy & Regulation

PUC Greenlights Hawaiian Electric's Wildfire Mitigation Plan, Paving the Way for Enhanced Grid Resilience

·5 min read
Close-up of a hand signing a legal document with a fountain pen, symbolizing signature and agreement.
Policy & Regulation

Hawaii's New Laws: Key Changes and Business Implications

·3 min read
A minimalist office setup featuring a planner, clipboard, card, and pen, perfect for planning and organization.
Policy & Regulation

Maui's $1.56B Budget: A New Direction for Business and Investment

·3 min read