riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Nome Census Area Disaster Risk

Nome Census Area, Alaska

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

34th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#14

of 30 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

6th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 6% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 45% 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 Low

Higher than 74% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Nome Census Area

Risk Verdict

Nome Census Area has a very low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 34th 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 Nome Census Area, scoring in the 74th percentile nationally. It is followed by wildfire risk at the 45th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (6th), tornado (1th).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake risk as the top concern, Nome Census Area 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

Nome Census Area has a disaster risk profile close to the average county in Alaska. Its composite risk score is within 1.2 points of the state average, meaning its overall hazard exposure is broadly representative of Alaska as a whole.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Nome Census Area, AK?
Nome Census Area has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 34th 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 Nome Census Area?
Nome Census Area is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (74th percentile), wildfire (45th percentile), flooding (6th percentile), tornado (1th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 74th 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 Nome Census Area risk compare to the Alaska average?
Nome Census Area's composite risk percentile is 34th, compared to the Alaska state average of 35th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Nome Census Area faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Alaska.
Is Nome Census Area at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Nome Census Area's earthquake risk is at the 74th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Nome Census Area is at the 6th 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 Nome Census Area a safe place to live?
Nome Census Area's composite risk score of 34th 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 74th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Dillingham Census Area

Alaska

+1.6

Very Low

36th percentile

Denali Borough

Alaska

-5.8

Very Low

28th percentile

Copper River Census Area

Alaska

+5.9

Very Low

40th 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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