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

Yakutat City and Borough Disaster Risk

Yakutat City and Borough, Alaska

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

3th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#25

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 77% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Yakutat City and Borough, Alaska

Yakutat faces low but notable earthquake risk

With a composite risk score of 2.96 and a Very Low rating, Yakutat remains well below the national average for natural disaster risk. The borough's exposure is driven primarily by seismic activity rather than the weather-related hazards that dominate most U.S. counties.

Among Alaska's lowest-risk municipalities

Yakutat's 2.96 score sits comfortably below Alaska's 35.22 state average and ranks among the safest communities in the state. Only coastal municipalities like Skagway (0.48) and Wrangell (0.06) maintain lower profiles.

Yakutat safer than most Southeast peers

Yakutat's 2.96 score substantially trails Sitka (23.82) while remaining slightly above Skagway (0.48) and Wrangell (0.06). Its coastal setting provides similar hazard protections as other maritime Southeast communities.

Earthquake dominates a minimal hazard landscape

Earthquake risk at 77.45 accounts for the vast majority of Yakutat's exposure, reflecting its position on the Pacific Ring of Fire. Wildfire (1.69), flood (0.29), and tornado (0.16) risks remain negligible by national standards.

Earthquake insurance is your primary priority

Standard homeowners policies exclude earthquake damage, making separate earthquake coverage essential for Yakutat property owners. Given the borough's moderate seismic risk and geographic isolation, this single policy addition provides critical protection.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Yakutat City and Borough

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    77th 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)

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Yakutat City and Borough

Risk Verdict

Yakutat City and Borough's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 3th percentile nationally. Low risk relative to other counties does not mean zero risk — Yakutat City and Borough's 3th percentile ranking reflects a favorable overall profile, and staying informed about which hazards drive it remains worthwhile.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Yakutat City and Borough's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 77th 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

Earthquake risk is Yakutat City and Borough's leading natural hazard, ranked at the 77th 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 2th percentile nationally in Yakutat City and Borough, adds a weather-dependent hazard layer to what is otherwise a seismic-dominated risk profile. Yakutat City and Borough 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 Yakutat City and Borough's score by 32.3 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Yakutat City and 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 Yakutat City and Borough, AK?
Yakutat City and Borough has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 3th 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 Yakutat City and Borough?
Yakutat City and Borough is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (77th percentile), wildfire (2th percentile), flooding (0th percentile), tornado (0th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 77th 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 Yakutat City and Borough risk compare to the Alaska average?
Yakutat City and Borough's composite risk percentile is 3th, compared to the Alaska state average of 35th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Yakutat City and Borough faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Alaska.
Is Yakutat City and Borough at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Yakutat City and Borough's earthquake risk is at the 77th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Yakutat City and Borough 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 Yakutat City and Borough a safe place to live?
Yakutat City and Borough's composite risk score of 3th 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 77th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Ketchikan Gateway Borough

Alaska

-1.3

Very Low

2th percentile

Haines Borough

Alaska

+1.3

Very Low

4th percentile

Bristol Bay Borough

Alaska

-1.7

Very Low

1th 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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