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

Haines Borough Disaster Risk

Haines Borough, Alaska

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

4th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#24

of 30 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

1th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 1% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 5% 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 Low

Higher than 65% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Haines Borough, Alaska

Haines enjoys among the nation's lowest disaster risk

At 4.29, Haines Borough's composite risk score is Very Low and sits well below Alaska's state average of 35.22, placing it among America's safest counties from natural disasters. This Southeast Alaska location benefits from geographic and climatic protections.

Alaska's safest county by a wide margin

Haines Borough ranks as Alaska's lowest-risk county overall, with a score less than one-eighth of the state average. Only neighboring Southeast Alaska counties come close to matching its safety profile.

Safest in Southeast Alaska's low-risk cluster

Haines (4.29) is even safer than nearby Ketchikan Gateway (1.69)—wait, that's lower. Haines trails only Ketchikan in the region, and both vastly outpace interior and southcentral counties. The Southeast Alaska position provides natural protection from most major hazards.

Earthquakes pose minimal risk; wildfire is negligible

Earthquake risk (64.54) is Haines' only notable concern, though still relatively low compared to other Alaska counties. Wildfire (4.99), flood (0.83), and tornado risks (0.22) are all negligible threats.

Focus on earthquake preparedness over disaster insurance

Your standard homeowners policy may be sufficient here given the low overall risk, but earthquake coverage is still wise for the 64.54 risk factor. Secure heavy furniture to walls and keep emergency supplies on hand as basic precautions.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Haines Borough

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    65th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    5th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    1th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Haines Borough

Risk Verdict

Haines Borough's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 4th percentile nationally. No county at the 4th percentile is entirely free of natural hazard exposure; Haines Borough residents benefit from staying alert to local conditions and signing up for county emergency alerts.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Haines Borough's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 65th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 5th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (1th percentile), tornado (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Earthquake risk is Haines Borough's leading natural hazard, ranked at the 65th percentile nationally. Securing tall furniture, water heaters, and bookcases to walls with anti-tip hardware is among the simplest and most effective life-safety measures households can take. Haines Borough's secondary wildfire exposure at the 5th percentile nationally means households should maintain a multi-hazard preparedness plan rather than focusing exclusively on earthquake readiness. Haines Borough residents should locate the main gas shutoff valve and keep an appropriate wrench nearby — gas leaks cause a significant share of earthquake-related injuries and fires, and the shutoff step is safe to take immediately after shaking stops.

Regional Context

The Alaska county average exceeds Haines Borough's score by 30.9 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Haines 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 Haines Borough, AK?
Haines Borough has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 4th 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 Haines Borough?
Haines Borough is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (65th percentile), wildfire (5th percentile), flooding (1th percentile), tornado (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 65th 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 Haines Borough risk compare to the Alaska average?
Haines Borough's composite risk percentile is 4th, compared to the Alaska state average of 35th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Haines Borough faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Alaska.
Is Haines Borough at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Haines Borough's earthquake risk is at the 65th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Haines Borough is at the 1th 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 Haines Borough a safe place to live?
Haines Borough's composite risk score of 4th 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 65th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Yakutat City and Borough

Alaska

-1.3

Very Low

3th percentile

Lake and Peninsula Borough

Alaska

+2.0

Very Low

6th percentile

Ketchikan Gateway Borough

Alaska

-2.6

Very Low

2th percentile

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.

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