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

Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area Disaster Risk

Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

62th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#7

of 30 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

7th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 7% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 93% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 1% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska

Yukon-Koyukuk faces Alaska's highest disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 61.55 and a Relatively Low rating, Yukon-Koyukuk exceeds the national average and ranks among the highest-risk census areas in the country. The region's interior boreal forest geography creates extreme wildfire exposure.

Alaska's most hazard-exposed census area

Yukon-Koyukuk's 61.55 score stands 75% above Alaska's state average of 35.22, making it the state's highest-risk region. This distinction reflects the census area's vast geographic size, sparse population, and wildfire-prone landscape.

Wildfire sets Yukon-Koyukuk apart statewide

Yukon-Koyukuk's 61.55 score exceeds all coastal Alaska communities and rivals Southeast Fairbanks (57.03) as the state's most hazard-exposed region. Both interior census areas share exceptionally high wildfire risk—93.00 for Yukon-Koyukuk and 97.11 for Southeast Fairbanks.

Wildfires and earthquakes define the risk

Wildfire risk reaches 93.00, making Yukon-Koyukuk one of Alaska's most fire-prone regions, while earthquake risk at 75.32 reflects circum-Pacific seismic activity. Flood (6.65) and tornado (0.67) risks remain secondary but should not be ignored.

Comprehensive coverage addresses dual threats

Homeowners must ensure wildfire coverage is explicitly included in their policy or purchase a separate rider given the 93.00 wildfire risk. Earthquake insurance is equally critical, and property owners should prioritize defensible space management and emergency evacuation planning.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    93th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    75th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    7th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area

Risk Verdict

With a national percentile rank of 62th, Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area faces below-average hazard exposure relative to U.S. counties as a whole. Above-average risk does not mean imminent danger; it signals that informed, hazard-specific preparedness has high value here.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 93th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 75th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (7th percentile), tornado (1th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 93th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area households benefit from creating defensible space — a buffer of reduced vegetation around structures — and reviewing whether homeowners insurance covers wildfire damage in this region. Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area's secondary hazard, earthquake at the 75th percentile nationally, indicates that post-fire landscape changes can elevate flood risk in watersheds — a compounding factor residents in burned areas should monitor. Enrolling in the county's wireless emergency alert system and keeping a vehicle at least half-full during peak fire season are low-cost habits that dramatically reduce evacuation lag time for Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area residents.

Regional Context

At 26.3 points above the Alaska state average, Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area carries meaningfully higher natural disaster exposure than a typical Alaska county.

Is your household prepared for Yukon-Koyukuk 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 Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, AK?
Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 62th 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 Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area?
Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (93th percentile), earthquake (75th percentile), flooding (7th percentile), tornado (1th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 93th 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 Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area risk compare to the Alaska average?
Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area's composite risk percentile is 62th, compared to the Alaska state average of 35th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Alaska.
Is Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area's wildfire risk is at the 93th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area is at the 7th 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.
Why is Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area higher risk than average?
Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area's composite risk score of 62th percentile is above the Alaska state average of 35th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (93th percentile), along with earthquake risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Kodiak Island Borough

Alaska

+3.6

Relatively Low

65th percentile

Kusilvak Census Area

Alaska

-3.6

Relatively Low

58th percentile

Southeast Fairbanks Census Area

Alaska

-4.5

Relatively Low

57th 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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