Kusilvak Census Area, Alaska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AK
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 58th
Kusilvak Census Area faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 57.9, 58th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Kusilvak Census Area at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 57.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 58th 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.
Risk here concentrates in cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $11M in expected annual loss and about 3.76 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $150K in expected annual loss and about 27.69 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $13K in expected annual loss and about 0.07 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $11M in expected annual loss for a population of 8K.
Beyond physical exposure, Kusilvak Census Area has a very high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
History supports the rating: Kusilvak Census Area has received 2 federal disaster declarations since 2020, including 1 for flood events and 1 for biological events. The most recent was Flooding (flood), declared in August 2023.
Among 30 Alaska counties, Kusilvak Census Area ranks #8 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 3.76 / yr | $11M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 27.69 / yr | $150K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.07 / yr | $13K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $21K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $24K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $14 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $1K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 14.72 / yr | $10K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $36 |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hail | 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 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Kusilvak Census Area has received 2 federal disaster declarations since 2020, most recently Flooding in August 2023. Most frequent causes: Flood (1), Biological (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| August 2023 | Flood | Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Kusilvak Census Area?
Kusilvak Census Area has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 57.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 58th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Kusilvak Census Area?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $11M EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $150K EAL), Landslide (Low, $13K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Kusilvak Census Area compare to other Alaska counties?
Kusilvak Census Area ranks #8 of 30 Alaska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Kusilvak Census Area had?
FEMA records 2 federal disaster declarations for Kusilvak Census Area since 2020, most often 1 for flood events and 1 for biological events. The most recent was Flooding, declared in August 2023.
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. Kusilvak Census Area's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.