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

Skagway Municipality Disaster Risk

Skagway Municipality, Alaska

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

0th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#29

of 30 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

0th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 2% 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 44% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Skagway Municipality, Alaska

Skagway ranks among America's safest places

Skagway's composite risk score of just 0.48 places it in the very lowest tier of U.S. natural disaster risk. This exceptional rating means Skagway residents face substantially lower hazard exposure than the typical American county.

Alaska's least risky community

Skagway holds the distinction of lowest natural disaster risk among Alaska's 29 counties, with a 0.48 score far below the state average of 35.22. The municipality's remote location and small population create minimal exposure to most major hazards.

Skagway stands apart in Southeast Alaska

Skagway's 0.48 score significantly undercuts neighboring Sitka (23.82) and other Southeast Alaskan communities. Only Wrangell (0.06) comes close, but both communities benefit from isolation and maritime climates that minimize wildfire and severe weather threats.

Earthquake remains the primary hazard

Earthquake risk at 43.89 dominates Skagway's otherwise minimal hazard landscape, a consequence of the region's seismic geography. All other risks—flood (0.25), wildfire (2.45), and tornado (0.03)—remain negligible by national standards.

Earthquake insurance is your key priority

Given Skagway's seismic setting, earthquake insurance through a private carrier or state program should be your primary protection. Standard homeowners policies will not cover earthquake damage, leaving uninsured property owners fully responsible for repairs.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Skagway Municipality

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    44th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    2th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    0th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Skagway Municipality

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Skagway Municipality ranks at the 0th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. Skagway Municipality's lower-than-average risk profile at the 0th percentile makes it a more manageable preparedness environment, but a reviewed household plan remains the right foundation regardless.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Skagway Municipality's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 44th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 2th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (0th percentile), tornado (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake ranked as the top hazard at the 44th percentile nationally, Skagway Municipality residents benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance: standard policies rarely cover earthquake damage, and separate earthquake insurance must be purchased before an event. Skagway Municipality's secondary hazard, wildfire at the 2th percentile nationally, requires different alert monitoring and response than earthquake — households benefit from understanding the distinct early-warning systems for each. Earthquake insurance in Skagway Municipality 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 34.7 points below the Alaska state average, Skagway Municipality is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Skagway Municipality'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 Skagway Municipality, AK?
Skagway Municipality has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 0th 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 Skagway Municipality?
Skagway Municipality is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (44th percentile), wildfire (2th percentile), flooding (0th percentile), tornado (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 44th 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 Skagway Municipality risk compare to the Alaska average?
Skagway Municipality's composite risk percentile is 0th, compared to the Alaska state average of 35th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Skagway Municipality faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Alaska.
Is Skagway Municipality at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Skagway Municipality's earthquake risk is at the 44th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Skagway Municipality is at the 0th 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 Skagway Municipality a safe place to live?
Skagway Municipality's composite risk score of 0th 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 44th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.