Sitka City and Borough Disaster Risk
Sitka City and Borough, Alaska
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
24th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#16
of 30 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
34th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 34% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 9% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 0% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Moderate
Higher than 84% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Sitka City and Borough, Alaska
Sitka's natural disaster risk: well below average
With a composite risk score of 23.82 and a Very Low rating, Sitka faces significantly less natural disaster risk than the typical U.S. county. The national average composite risk score stands around 35.22, meaning Sitka residents experience roughly one-third less overall hazard exposure than many American communities.
Safer than most Alaska counties
Sitka ranks among Alaska's lower-risk communities, with its 23.82 score well below the state average of 35.22. Only a handful of Alaska's 29 counties maintain comparably low composite risk profiles.
Sitka compares favorably to Southeast Alaska peers
Sitka's risk profile is notably lower than neighboring Southeast Fairbanks (57.03) and Yukon-Koyukuk (61.55), though similar to coastal Skagway (0.48) and Wrangell (0.06). This reflects Sitka's maritime location and smaller exposure to the wildfire and flood risks that dominate interior Alaska.
Earthquakes and floods pose primary threats
Earthquake risk dominates Sitka's hazard profile at 83.87, reflecting the region's position on the Pacific Ring of Fire—a reality all Southeast Alaska residents should understand. Flood risk ranks second at 34.00, driven by heavy precipitation and coastal proximity, though tornado and wildfire threats remain minimal (0.10 and 8.75 respectively).
Prioritize earthquake and flood coverage now
Standard homeowners policies exclude earthquake damage, making separate earthquake insurance essential for Sitka properties. Flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program should also be a priority given the county's 34.00 flood risk score and coastal location.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Sitka City and Borough
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Sitka City and Borough
Risk Verdict
Sitka City and Borough sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 24th percentile nationally. No county at the 24th percentile is entirely free of natural hazard exposure; Sitka City and Borough residents benefit from staying alert to local conditions and signing up for county emergency alerts.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is Sitka City and Borough's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 84th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 34th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (9th percentile), tornado (0th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 84th percentile nationally for earthquake exposure, Sitka City and Borough households benefit from practicing Drop, Cover, and Hold On — the protocol that minimizes injury during shaking. Getting under a sturdy table or desk and holding on until shaking stops is the key action. Sitka City and Borough's secondary flood exposure at the 34th percentile nationally means households should maintain a multi-hazard preparedness plan rather than focusing exclusively on earthquake readiness. Building age matters for earthquake risk in Sitka City and Borough: structures built before local seismic code adoption are statistically more vulnerable. Contacting the local building department about retrofit programs can reveal whether your structure qualifies for mitigation assistance.
Regional Context
Sitka City and Borough falls 11.4 points below Alaska's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.
Is your household prepared for Sitka City and Borough's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Sitka City and Borough, AK?
What types of natural hazards affect Sitka City and Borough?
How does Sitka City and Borough risk compare to the Alaska average?
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How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Sitka City and Borough a safe place to live?
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.