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

Ketchikan Gateway Borough Disaster Risk

Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

2th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#26

of 30 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

26th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 26% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 11% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 31% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska

Ketchikan ranks among America's safest counties

At just 1.69, Ketchikan Gateway Borough's composite risk score is Very Low and one of the lowest in the entire nation. This Southeast Alaska borough sits far below Alaska's state average of 35.22, enjoying exceptional natural hazard protection.

Alaska's safest county by composite score

Ketchikan Gateway Borough holds Alaska's lowest composite risk ranking, with a score less than one-twentieth of the state average. No other Alaska county comes close to this level of disaster safety.

Safest in an already low-risk Southeast cluster

Ketchikan (1.69) outperforms all regional peers, including Haines (4.29), Juneau (11.51), and Hoonah-Angoon (14.31). Southeast Alaska as a whole is remarkably safe, and Ketchikan leads the way.

Minimal earthquake risk; wildfire and flood negligible

Earthquake risk (31.17) is Ketchikan's only notable hazard concern, though still quite low in absolute terms. Wildfire (10.94), flood (26.00), and tornado risks (0.19) pose negligible threats to residents.

Standard homeowners insurance likely sufficient

Given Ketchikan's exceptionally low overall risk score, a standard homeowners policy should provide adequate protection for most hazards. Earthquake coverage is optional given the 31.17 risk factor, but basic emergency preparedness is always wise.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Ketchikan Gateway Borough

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    31th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    26th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    11th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Ketchikan Gateway Borough

Risk Verdict

At the 2th percentile nationally, Ketchikan Gateway Borough experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. Ketchikan Gateway Borough's lower-than-average risk profile at the 2th percentile makes it a more manageable preparedness environment, but a reviewed household plan remains the right foundation regardless.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Ketchikan Gateway Borough's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 31th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 26th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (11th percentile), tornado (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Ketchikan Gateway Borough ranks at the 31th percentile nationally for earthquake risk. Unlike most natural hazards, earthquakes provide no advance warning; preparedness here means structural adjustments and a practiced response, not alert monitoring. Ketchikan Gateway Borough's secondary flood exposure at the 26th percentile nationally means households should maintain a multi-hazard preparedness plan rather than focusing exclusively on earthquake readiness. For earthquake preparedness, Ketchikan Gateway Borough's county emergency management office often maintains a list of community water supply points, Red Cross shelter locations, and post-quake assistance programs — useful resources to identify before an event occurs.

Regional Context

A composite score 33.5 points below the Alaska state average puts Ketchikan Gateway Borough in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Ketchikan Gateway 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 Ketchikan Gateway Borough, AK?
Ketchikan Gateway Borough has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 2th 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 Ketchikan Gateway Borough?
Ketchikan Gateway Borough is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (31th percentile), flooding (26th percentile), wildfire (11th percentile), tornado (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 31th 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 Ketchikan Gateway Borough risk compare to the Alaska average?
Ketchikan Gateway Borough's composite risk percentile is 2th, compared to the Alaska state average of 35th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Ketchikan Gateway Borough faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Alaska.
Is Ketchikan Gateway Borough at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Ketchikan Gateway Borough's earthquake risk is at the 31th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Ketchikan Gateway Borough is at the 26th 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 Ketchikan Gateway Borough a safe place to live?
Ketchikan Gateway Borough's composite risk score of 2th 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 31th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Bristol Bay Borough

Alaska

-0.5

Very Low

1th percentile

Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area

Alaska

-0.7

Very Low

1th percentile

Skagway Municipality

Alaska

-1.2

Very Low

0th 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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