riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Fairbanks North Star Borough Disaster Risk

Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

89th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#4

of 30 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

46th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 46% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively High

Higher than 98% 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 High

Higher than 98% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Fairbanks North Star Borough

Risk Verdict

Fairbanks North Star Borough has a relatively moderate overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 89th percentile nationally. While not in the highest tier, this county faces meaningful hazard exposure. Residents are encouraged to understand their specific risks and maintain emergency supplies.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is the dominant hazard for Fairbanks North Star Borough, scoring in the 98th percentile nationally. It is followed by earthquake risk at the 98th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (46th), tornado (1th).

Preparedness Context

With wildfire risk as the top concern, Fairbanks North Star Borough residents should create defensible space around your property, sign up for local emergency alerts, and prepare a go-bag with essential documents and medications. Secondary risks such as earthquake 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

Fairbanks North Star Borough is significantly riskier than the average county in Alaska. Its composite risk score is 53.3 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 Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK?
Fairbanks North Star Borough has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 89th 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 Fairbanks North Star Borough?
Fairbanks North Star Borough is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (98th percentile), earthquake (98th percentile), flooding (46th percentile), tornado (1th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 98th 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 Fairbanks North Star Borough risk compare to the Alaska average?
Fairbanks North Star Borough's composite risk percentile is 89th, compared to the Alaska state average of 35th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Fairbanks North Star Borough faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Alaska.
Is Fairbanks North Star Borough at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Fairbanks North Star Borough's wildfire risk is at the 98th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Fairbanks North Star Borough is at the 46th 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 Fairbanks North Star Borough higher risk than average?
Fairbanks North Star Borough's composite risk score of 89th percentile is above the Alaska state average of 35th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (98th percentile), along with earthquake 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

Kenai Peninsula Borough

Alaska

+4.5

Relatively Moderate

93th percentile

Matanuska-Susitna Borough

Alaska

+4.7

Relatively Moderate

93th percentile

Anchorage Municipality

Alaska

+8.9

Relatively High

97th 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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