Alaska natural disaster risk
Alaska ranks #22 of 51 from safest. Its biggest relative risks are landslide, earthquake, avalanche.
The vertical line marks the middle of U.S. counties (50).
Risk in Alaska's largest counties
| County | Population | Risk score | FEMA rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage Municipality | 288,976 | 97.4 | Relatively High |
| Matanuska-Susitna Borough | 112,988 | 93.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Fairbanks North Star Borough | 95,460 | 88.5 | Relatively Moderate |
| Kenai Peninsula Borough | 60,413 | 93.0 | Relatively Moderate |
| Juneau City and Borough | 31,794 | 11.5 | Very Low |
| Bethel Census Area | 18,394 | 44.3 | Relatively Low |
| Ketchikan Gateway Borough | 13,768 | 1.7 | Very Low |
| Kodiak Island Borough | 12,771 | 65.1 | Relatively Low |
| North Slope Borough | 10,810 | 14.8 | Very Low |
| Nome Census Area | 9,866 | 34.1 | Very Low |
| Sitka City and Borough | 8,368 | 23.8 | Very Low |
| Kusilvak Census Area | 8,176 | 57.9 | Relatively Low |
| Northwest Arctic Borough | 7,441 | 54.6 | Relatively Low |
| Southeast Fairbanks Census Area | 7,068 | 57.0 | Relatively Low |
| Chugach Census Area | 6,862 | 19.6 | Very Low |
| Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area | 5,715 | 1.0 | Very Low |
| Aleutians West Census Area | 5,235 | 67.3 | Relatively Low |
| Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area | 5,195 | 61.5 | Relatively Low |
| Dillingham Census Area | 4,724 | 35.7 | Very Low |
| Aleutians East Borough | 3,491 | 21.3 | Very Low |
| Petersburg Borough | 3,409 | 15.4 | Very Low |
| Copper River Census Area | 2,626 | 39.9 | Very Low |
| Hoonah-Angoon Census Area | 2,311 | 14.3 | Very Low |
| Wrangell City and Borough | 2,088 | 0.1 | Very Low |
| Haines Borough | 2,086 | 4.3 | Very Low |
County scores are averages, and the insurance figure above is what owners with a mortgage reported paying in 2024 (Census American Community Survey); premiums have risen since, especially in high-risk areas. For a specific home, check the address on FEMA's flood map and get insurance quotes before you commit. Our guide explains how to check natural disaster risk before you move.
Lowest-risk counties in Alaska
- Juneau City and Borough 11.5
- Fairbanks North Star Borough 88.5
- Kenai Peninsula Borough 93.0
- Matanuska-Susitna Borough 93.3
- Anchorage Municipality 97.4
Cities in Alaska
- Anchorage, AK risk 96.3
Frequently asked questions
Is Alaska safe from natural disasters?
Alaska's population-weighted FEMA risk score is 78.7 out of 100 (above average for U.S. counties), #22 of 51 from safest. About 40% of residents live in counties FEMA rates relatively high or very high.
What natural disasters happen in Alaska?
The highest relative risks in Alaska are landslide, earthquake, avalanche (national percentile scores 94, 91, 89).
Where is the safest place to live in Alaska?
Among counties with at least 20,000 people, the lowest FEMA risk scores are in Juneau City and Borough, Fairbanks North Star Borough, Kenai Peninsula Borough.