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Since 1950, 43 hurricanes and tropical storms have passed within 200 miles of Hilo. Here's what you should know.
Local note: Hilo sits on the windward east coast of the Big Island — exposed to easterly storm approaches, with the Mauna Loa / Mauna Kea masses sometimes deflecting the worst of the wind.
By the numbers
Total storms
43
since 1950
Major (Cat 3+)
22
at closest approach
Hurricanes (Cat 1+)
34
all categories
County
Hawaii County
Hawaii
Most recent hurricane
Kiko (2025)
Passed within 198 miles of Hilo on September 09, 2025. Peak intensity: Cat 4 (144 mph).
The full risk breakdown for Hilo
See the strongest and closest hurricanes ever to pass nearby, the month-by-month climatology of when storms hit Hilo, the notable storms of the last 20 years, and any active-storm threat — plus free location-based alerts.
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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.