Chugach Census Area Disaster Risk

Chugach Census Area, Alaska

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

20th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#18

of 30 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

21th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 21% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 1% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 82% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Chugach Census Area

Risk Verdict

Chugach Census Area has a very low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 20th percentile nationally. This county is among the safer counties in the United States from a natural disaster perspective, though no area is entirely risk-free.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is the dominant hazard for Chugach Census Area, scoring in the 82th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 21th percentile. Additional hazards include wildfire (1th), tornado (0th).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake risk as the top concern, Chugach Census Area residents should secure heavy furniture and appliances, know how to shut off utilities, and keep emergency supplies accessible. Secondary risks such as flood 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

Chugach Census Area is notably safer than the average county in Alaska. Its composite risk score is 15.6 points lower than the state average, indicating below-average exposure to natural hazards relative to other counties in the state.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Chugach Census Area, AK?
Chugach Census Area has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 20th 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 Chugach Census Area?
Chugach Census Area is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (82th percentile), flooding (21th percentile), wildfire (1th percentile), tornado (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 82th 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 Chugach Census Area risk compare to the Alaska average?
Chugach Census Area's composite risk percentile is 20th, compared to the Alaska state average of 35th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Chugach Census Area faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Alaska.
Is Chugach Census Area at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Chugach Census Area's earthquake risk is at the 82th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Chugach Census Area is at the 21th 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 Chugach Census Area a safe place to live?
Chugach Census Area's composite risk score of 20th 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 82th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.