Copper River Census Area, Alaska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AK
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 40th
Copper River Census Area faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 39.9, 40th national percentile), driven primarily by avalanche and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Copper River Census Area is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 39.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 40th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
The county's risk is driven primarily by avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at Very High risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 0.83 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $165K in expected annual loss and about 70.71 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $392K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 3K.
Beyond physical exposure, Copper River Census Area has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
Among 30 Alaska counties, Copper River Census Area ranks #12 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Avalanche | Very High | 0.83 / yr | $6M |
| Landslide | Medium | 70.71 / yr | $165K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $392K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.11 / yr | $874K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $34 |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.83 / yr | $254K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 8.19 / yr | $17K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 19.73 / yr | $9K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $235K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $15 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $190 |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
FEMA's declaration records (1953–present) list no county-level federal disaster declarations for Copper River Census Area. Statewide emergency declarations may still have applied.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Copper River Census Area?
Copper River Census Area has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 39.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 40th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Copper River Census Area?
The three highest-rated hazards are Avalanche (Very High, $6M EAL), Landslide (Medium, $165K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $392K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Copper River Census Area compare to other Alaska counties?
Copper River Census Area ranks #12 of 30 Alaska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Copper River Census Area had?
FEMA's declaration records (1953–present) list no county-level major disaster declarations for Copper River Census Area. Statewide emergency declarations may still have applied.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Copper River Census Area's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.