riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Matanuska-Susitna Borough Disaster Risk

Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

93th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#2

of 30 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

51th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 51% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively High

Higher than 95% 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 99% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Matanuska-Susitna Borough

Risk Verdict

Matanuska-Susitna Borough has a relatively moderate overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 93th 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

Earthquake risk is the dominant hazard for Matanuska-Susitna Borough, scoring in the 99th percentile nationally. It is followed by wildfire risk at the 95th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (51th), tornado (1th).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake risk as the top concern, Matanuska-Susitna Borough 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

Matanuska-Susitna Borough is significantly riskier than the average county in Alaska. Its composite risk score is 58 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 Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK?
Matanuska-Susitna Borough has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 93th 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 Matanuska-Susitna Borough?
Matanuska-Susitna Borough is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (99th percentile), wildfire (95th percentile), flooding (51th percentile), tornado (1th 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 Matanuska-Susitna Borough risk compare to the Alaska average?
Matanuska-Susitna Borough's composite risk percentile is 93th, compared to the Alaska state average of 35th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Matanuska-Susitna Borough faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Alaska.
Is Matanuska-Susitna Borough at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Matanuska-Susitna Borough's earthquake risk is at the 99th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Matanuska-Susitna Borough is at the 51th 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 Matanuska-Susitna Borough higher risk than average?
Matanuska-Susitna Borough's composite risk score of 93th percentile is above the Alaska state average of 35th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (99th percentile), along with wildfire and flooding 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

-0.2

Relatively Moderate

93th percentile

Anchorage Municipality

Alaska

+4.1

Relatively High

97th percentile

Fairbanks North Star Borough

Alaska

-4.7

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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