riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Anchorage Municipality Disaster Risk

Anchorage Municipality, Alaska

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively High

National Percentile

97th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#1

of 30 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

28th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 28% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 79% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively High

Higher than 99% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Anchorage Municipality

Risk Verdict

Anchorage Municipality carries a relatively high overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 97th percentile nationally. This places it among the most at-risk counties in the United States. Residents should prioritize comprehensive emergency preparedness, including reviewing insurance coverage and having an evacuation plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is the dominant hazard for Anchorage Municipality, scoring in the 99th percentile nationally. It is followed by wildfire risk at the 79th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (28th), tornado (0th).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake risk as the top concern, Anchorage Municipality residents should secure heavy furniture and appliances, know how to shut off utilities, and keep emergency supplies accessible. Secondary risks such as wildfire also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Anchorage Municipality is significantly riskier than the average county in Alaska. Its composite risk score is 62.2 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Anchorage Municipality, AK?
Anchorage Municipality has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively High, placing it in the 97th 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 Anchorage Municipality?
Anchorage Municipality is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (99th percentile), wildfire (79th percentile), flooding (28th percentile), tornado (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 99th 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 Anchorage Municipality risk compare to the Alaska average?
Anchorage Municipality's composite risk percentile is 97th, compared to the Alaska state average of 35th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Anchorage Municipality faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Alaska.
Is Anchorage Municipality at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Anchorage Municipality's earthquake risk is at the 99th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Anchorage Municipality is at the 28th 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.
Why is Anchorage Municipality higher risk than average?
Anchorage Municipality's composite risk score of 97th percentile is above the Alaska state average of 35th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (99th percentile), along with wildfire risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Matanuska-Susitna Borough

Alaska

-4.1

Relatively Moderate

93th percentile

Kenai Peninsula Borough

Alaska

-4.4

Relatively Moderate

93th percentile

Fairbanks North Star Borough

Alaska

-8.9

Relatively Moderate

89th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.

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