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

Petersburg Borough Disaster Risk

Petersburg Borough, Alaska

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

15th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#19

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 3% 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 18% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Petersburg Borough, Alaska

Petersburg: minimal national risk

Petersburg Borough scores 15.43 on the composite risk scale, well below the national average and earning a Very Low rating. The borough's Southeast location and natural geography provide exceptional disaster protection.

Third-safest county in Alaska

Petersburg Borough ranks third-lowest among Alaska counties with a composite score of 15.43, less than half the state average of 35.22. Only two boroughs enjoy greater natural disaster resilience.

Safer than nearby Southeast peers

Petersburg's 15.43 score exceeds Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area (0.95) but remains safer than Kusilvak Census Area (57.92). The borough represents Southeast Alaska's generally low-risk profile.

Earthquake presents only real threat

Earthquake risk scores 18.26 in Petersburg, the borough's sole material hazard, while wildfire risk remains minimal at 3.40. Flood, tornado, and hurricane risks are negligible in this Southeast community.

Basic earthquake coverage sufficient

Petersburg residents should obtain earthquake insurance to address the region's seismic activity. Standard homeowner's coverage adequately protects against other disaster types in Alaska's safest Southeast borough.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Petersburg Borough

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    18th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    3th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    1th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Petersburg Borough

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Petersburg Borough ranks at the 15th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Petersburg Borough's favorable 15th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Petersburg Borough's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 18th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 3th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (1th percentile), tornado (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake ranked as the top hazard at the 18th percentile nationally, Petersburg Borough residents benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance: standard policies rarely cover earthquake damage, and separate earthquake insurance must be purchased before an event. Wildfire at the 3th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Petersburg Borough that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. Earthquake insurance in Petersburg Borough is typically offered as a separate policy — standard homeowners coverage excludes ground movement. Reviewing this gap and comparing policy options before an event is a financial preparedness step with potentially large consequences.

Regional Context

At 19.8 points below the Alaska state average, Petersburg Borough is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Petersburg 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 Petersburg Borough, AK?
Petersburg Borough has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 15th 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 Petersburg Borough?
Petersburg Borough is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (18th percentile), wildfire (3th percentile), flooding (1th percentile), tornado (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 18th 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 Petersburg Borough risk compare to the Alaska average?
Petersburg Borough's composite risk percentile is 15th, compared to the Alaska state average of 35th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Petersburg Borough faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Alaska.
Is Petersburg Borough at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Petersburg Borough's earthquake risk is at the 18th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Petersburg 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 Petersburg Borough a safe place to live?
Petersburg Borough's composite risk score of 15th 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 18th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

North Slope Borough

Alaska

-0.7

Very Low

15th percentile

Hoonah-Angoon Census Area

Alaska

-1.1

Very Low

14th percentile

Juneau City and Borough

Alaska

-3.9

Very Low

12th 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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