riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Aleutians East Borough Disaster Risk

Aleutians East Borough, Alaska

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

21th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#17

of 30 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

0th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 1% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Aleutians East Borough, Alaska

Among safest counties nationwide

Aleutians East Borough scores 21.34 on composite risk—well below the national average and nearly 40% lower than Alaska's 35.22 state average. This Very Low rating means residents face significantly less overall natural disaster exposure than most Americans.

Ranks among state's lowest-risk areas

Of Alaska's 29 counties and census areas, Aleutians East Borough ranks among the safest with its Very Low risk designation. Only a handful of Alaskan communities enjoy comparable protection from natural hazards.

Safer than nearby Aleutians West

Aleutians East Borough's score of 21.34 is significantly lower than neighboring Aleutians West Census Area at 67.30, though both regions face similar seismic activity. Aleutians East residents benefit from lower overall compounded risk despite the shared earthquake exposure.

Earthquake is primary concern here

Earthquake risk dominates at 74.55, making seismic activity the principal natural hazard despite the borough's overall low composite score. Other hazards—flood, wildfire, and tornado—register as minimal threats with scores near zero.

Earthquake coverage is essential

Standard homeowners insurance excludes earthquake damage, yet this region's 74.55 earthquake risk score demands dedicated coverage. Consider earthquake insurance and seismic home reinforcement to protect against Alaska's most significant natural threat.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Aleutians East Borough

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    75th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    1th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    0th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Risk Advisory: Aleutians East Borough

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Aleutians East Borough ranks at the 21th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. Even at the 21th percentile, Aleutians East Borough's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Aleutians East Borough's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 75th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 1th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (0th percentile), flood (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake ranked as the top hazard at the 75th percentile nationally, Aleutians East Borough residents benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance: standard policies rarely cover earthquake damage, and separate earthquake insurance must be purchased before an event. Alongside earthquake exposure, Aleutians East Borough's tornado risk at the 1th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. Earthquake insurance in Aleutians East Borough is typically offered as a separate policy — standard homeowners coverage excludes ground movement. Reviewing this gap and comparing policy options before an event is a financial preparedness step with potentially large consequences.

Regional Context

At 13.9 points below the Alaska state average, Aleutians East Borough is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Aleutians East Borough's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Aleutians East Borough, AK?
Aleutians East Borough has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 21th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Aleutians East Borough?
Aleutians East Borough is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (75th percentile), tornado (1th percentile), wildfire (0th percentile), flooding (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 75th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Aleutians East Borough risk compare to the Alaska average?
Aleutians East Borough's composite risk percentile is 21th, compared to the Alaska state average of 35th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Aleutians East Borough faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Alaska.
Is Aleutians East Borough at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Aleutians East Borough's earthquake risk is at the 75th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Aleutians East Borough is at the 0th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Is Aleutians East Borough a safe place to live?
Aleutians East Borough's composite risk score of 21th percentile is below the Alaska state average of 35th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is earthquake at the 75th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.