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

Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area Disaster Risk

Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, Alaska

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

1th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#28

of 30 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

4th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 4% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 10% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 43% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, Alaska

Prince of Wales: America's safest region

Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area scores just 0.95 on the composite risk scale, far below the national average and earning a Very Low rating. This represents the lowest disaster risk profile in the nation.

Alaska's safest county overall

Prince of Wales-Hyder ranks safest among all Alaska counties with a composite score of 0.95, nearly one-third the state average of 35.22. The census area stands alone as Alaska's most resilient community.

Dramatically safer than surrounding areas

Prince of Wales-Hyder's 0.95 score is incomparably lower than all neighboring regions, including Petersburg Borough (15.43). The area's Southeast geography provides unmatched disaster protection in Alaska.

Earthquake: only meaningful hazard

Earthquake risk of 43.03 is Prince of Wales-Hyder's only notable disaster exposure, though wildfire and flood risks remain negligible at 10.11 and 3.75. The Southeast climate effectively eliminates most weather-related disasters.

Earthquake coverage offers complete protection

Prince of Wales-Hyder residents should obtain earthquake insurance as the region's sole material disaster risk. Standard homeowner's coverage is sufficient for other hazards in America's naturally safest county.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    43th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    10th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    4th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area

Risk Verdict

Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 1th percentile nationally. Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area's 1th percentile ranking in FEMA's National Risk Index reflects a relatively safe hazard environment; the specific hazard scores above identify which risks warrant the most household attention.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 43th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 10th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (4th percentile), tornado (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Earthquake risk is Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area's leading natural hazard, ranked at the 43th percentile nationally. Securing tall furniture, water heaters, and bookcases to walls with anti-tip hardware is among the simplest and most effective life-safety measures households can take. Wildfire, at the 10th percentile nationally in Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, adds a weather-dependent hazard layer to what is otherwise a seismic-dominated risk profile. Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area residents should locate the main gas shutoff valve and keep an appropriate wrench nearby — gas leaks cause a significant share of earthquake-related injuries and fires, and the shutoff step is safe to take immediately after shaking stops.

Regional Context

The Alaska county average exceeds Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area's score by 34.3 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area'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 Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, AK?
Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 1th 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 Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area?
Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (43th percentile), wildfire (10th percentile), flooding (4th percentile), tornado (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 43th 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 Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area risk compare to the Alaska average?
Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area's composite risk percentile is 1th, compared to the Alaska state average of 35th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Alaska.
Is Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area's earthquake risk is at the 43th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area is at the 4th 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 Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area a safe place to live?
Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area's composite risk score of 1th 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 43th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Bristol Bay Borough

Alaska

+0.3

Very Low

1th percentile

Skagway Municipality

Alaska

-0.5

Very Low

0th percentile

Ketchikan Gateway Borough

Alaska

+0.7

Very Low

2th 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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