Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AK
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 65th
Kodiak Island Borough faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 65.1, 65th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $25M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Kodiak Island Borough is low, with a National Risk Index score of 65.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 65th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. 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 landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $231K in expected annual loss and about 55.35 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Medium risk — $14M in expected annual loss and about 0.13 events per year; and tsunami (series of ocean waves triggered by undersea earthquakes or landslides) at Medium risk — $11M in expected annual loss and about 0.31 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $25M in expected annual loss for a population of 13K.
Beyond physical exposure, Kodiak Island Borough has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The federal record bears this out: Kodiak Island Borough has received 7 federal disaster declarations since 1989, including 3 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 30 Alaska counties, Kodiak Island Borough ranks #6 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 55.35 / yr | $231K |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.13 / yr | $14M |
| Tsunami | Medium | 0.31 / yr | $11M |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $67 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $554 |
| Winter Weather | Low | 3.70 / yr | $43K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $10K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $670K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $1 |
| Lightning | Very Low | 0.84 / yr | $780 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hail | 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 |
Disaster History
Kodiak Island Borough has received 7 federal disaster declarations since 1989, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (3), Biological (2), Flood (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| December 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Rockslides |
| December 2002 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Coastal Erosion and Tidal Surge |
| February 2000 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Avalanches |
| October 1995 | Flood | Flooding |
| May 1989 | Freezing | Severe Freezing |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Kodiak Island Borough?
Kodiak Island Borough has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 65.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 65th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Kodiak Island Borough?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $231K EAL), Earthquake (Medium, $14M EAL), Tsunami (Medium, $11M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Kodiak Island Borough compare to other Alaska counties?
Kodiak Island Borough ranks #6 of 30 Alaska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Kodiak Island Borough had?
FEMA records 7 federal disaster declarations for Kodiak Island Borough since 1989, most often 3 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in April 2020.
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. Kodiak Island Borough's $25M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.