Hurricane Risk for Hilo, HI
No tropical storms currently threaten Hawaiʻi Island. The next one could form quickly though — get alerts before they make the news.
Get free alerts for HiloOn this page
Since 1950, 43 hurricanes and tropical storms have passed within 200 miles of Hilo. Here's what you should know.
By the numbers
Most recent hurricane
Kiko (2025)
Passed within 198 miles of Hilo on September 09, 2025. Peak intensity: Cat 4 (144 mph).
Strongest hurricane ever to pass nearby
Dot (1959)
Reached Cat 4 (150 mph) at its peak. Passed within 178 miles of Hilo.
Closest approach ever
Unnamed (1958)
Passed just 7.6 miles from Hilo on August 07, 1958.
When hurricanes hit Hilo
Distribution across the calendar year, based on every storm in the 200-mile radius since 1950:
Peak months are August through October, when the Atlantic season is most active. June, July, and November are secondary risk months.
Prep your supplies before the storm is named
Our alerts can notify you of a storm long before it makes the news, giving you more time to get what you need — instead of joining the panic-buying public.
Sign Up FreeRecent notable storms (last 20 years)
Hurricanes (Cat 1+) within 200 miles in the last 20 years — these are the ones Hilo residents likely remember:
| Storm | Year | Peak | Closest | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kiko | 2025 | Cat 4 | 198 mi | Sep 09, 2025 |
| Hone | 2024 | Cat 1 | 113 mi | Aug 25, 2024 |
| Calvin | 2023 | Cat 3 | 150 mi | Jul 19, 2023 |
| Darby | 2022 | Cat 4 | 146 mi | Jul 16, 2022 |
| Linda | 2021 | Cat 4 | 90 mi | Aug 23, 2021 |
| Douglas | 2020 | Cat 4 | 88 mi | Jul 26, 2020 |
| Flossie | 2019 | Cat 1 | 88 mi | Aug 06, 2019 |
| Olivia | 2018 | Cat 4 | 88 mi | Sep 12, 2018 |
| Darby | 2016 | Cat 3 | 33 mi | Jul 24, 2016 |
| Madeline | 2016 | Cat 4 | 117 mi | Sep 01, 2016 |
| Lester | 2016 | Cat 4 | 160 mi | Sep 03, 2016 |
| Guillermo | 2015 | Cat 2 | 131 mi | Aug 07, 2015 |
| Iselle | 2014 | Cat 4 | 39 mi | Aug 08, 2014 |
| Ana | 2014 | Cat 1 | 198 mi | Oct 18, 2014 |
| Felicia | 2009 | Cat 4 | 88 mi | Aug 11, 2009 |
| Flossie | 2007 | Cat 4 | 168 mi | Aug 15, 2007 |
Preparedness
- Know your zone. Hilo is in Hawaii County — look up your evacuation zone here.
- Get alerts early. Sign up below — we'll notify you when storms first form in the basin, not just when they're at your doorstep.
- Have 3+ days of supplies. Water (1 gal/person/day), non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, cash.
- Have an evacuation plan. Know where you'll go, how you'll get there, what you'll bring.
- Follow official orders. If your zone is told to evacuate, leave. Don't wait.