Northwest Arctic Borough Disaster Risk
Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
55th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#10
of 30 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
3th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 3% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 66% 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 66% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska
Northwest Arctic's above-average national risk
Northwest Arctic Borough scores 54.58 on the composite risk scale, exceeding the national average and earning a Relatively Low rating. The borough's wildfire exposure and seismic activity drive risk above typical U.S. levels.
Third-highest risk in Alaska
Northwest Arctic Borough ranks third among Alaska counties with a composite score of 54.58, well above the state average of 35.22. Only Matanuska-Susitna and Kusilvak face greater overall disaster risk.
Riskier than most Arctic neighbors
Northwest Arctic's 54.58 score significantly exceeds North Slope Borough (14.76) but matches Kusilvak Census Area's risk level. The borough stands apart for elevated wildfire exposure among Arctic communities.
Wildfire and earthquake equally threatening
Northwest Arctic faces matched hazards: wildfire risk reaches 65.68 while earthquake risk equals 65.68, creating balanced multi-hazard exposure. Flood and tornado risks remain negligible in the Arctic climate.
Dual coverage addresses dual threats
Northwest Arctic homeowners should secure earthquake insurance to address seismic risk across the region. Wildfire insurance and community evacuation planning provide essential protection against the borough's elevated fire exposure.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Northwest Arctic Borough
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Northwest Arctic Borough
Risk Verdict
Northwest Arctic Borough's FEMA risk score places it at the 55th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. A moderate composite score often means one or two hazard categories are doing the heavy lifting — knowing which ones matters for preparation.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Northwest Arctic Borough's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 66th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 66th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (3th percentile), tornado (1th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Northwest Arctic Borough sits at the 66th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Northwest Arctic Borough's county emergency alert system and knowing the pre-planned evacuation route before conditions deteriorate are the two highest-value preparedness actions for residents here. Northwest Arctic Borough's secondary hazard, earthquake at the 66th percentile nationally, indicates that post-fire landscape changes can elevate flood risk in watersheds — a compounding factor residents in burned areas should monitor. In Northwest Arctic Borough, wildfire smoke often precedes the flame front by hours or days; households benefit from tracking EPA's AirNow.gov and having HEPA air filtration available as a first line of indoor protection when air quality alerts are issued.
Regional Context
The Alaska county average is 19.4 composite points below Northwest Arctic Borough's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Northwest Arctic Borough's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Northwest Arctic Borough, AK?
What types of natural hazards affect Northwest Arctic Borough?
How does Northwest Arctic Borough risk compare to the Alaska average?
Is Northwest Arctic Borough at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Northwest Arctic Borough higher risk than average?
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.