Nome Census Area, Alaska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AK
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 34th
Nome Census Area faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 34.1, 34th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and volcanic activity exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Nome Census Area is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 34.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 34th 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.
Risk here concentrates in cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 10.10 events per year; volcanic activity (eruptions producing ashfall, lava, and pyroclastic hazards) at Low risk — $7K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $202K in expected annual loss and about 25.64 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 10K.
Beyond physical exposure, Nome 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Nome Census Area has received 11 federal disaster declarations since 1989, including 6 for severe storm events and 2 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Flooding, and Remnants of Typhoon Halong (flood), declared in October 2025.
Among 30 Alaska counties, Nome Census Area ranks #14 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 10.10 / yr | $5M |
| Volcanic Activity | Low | 0.00 / yr | $7K |
| Winter Weather | High | 25.64 / yr | $202K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.28 / yr | $17K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.02 / yr | $574K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $752 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $20K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $470K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 9.58 / yr | $5K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / 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 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Nome Census Area has received 11 federal disaster declarations since 1989, most recently Severe Storms, Flooding, and Remnants of Typhoon Halong in October 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Flood (2), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| October 2025 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Remnants of Typhoon Halong |
| January 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm and Flooding |
| August 2023 | Flood | Flooding |
| September 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Flooding, and Landslides |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| January 2014 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| December 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| December 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Fall Storm, Tidal Surges, and Flooding |
| November 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Tidal Surges and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 11 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Nome Census Area?
Nome Census Area has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 34.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 34th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Nome Census Area?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $5M EAL), Volcanic Activity (Low, $7K EAL), Winter Weather (High, $202K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Nome Census Area compare to other Alaska counties?
Nome Census Area ranks #14 of 30 Alaska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Nome Census Area had?
FEMA records 11 federal disaster declarations for Nome Census Area since 1989, most often 6 for severe storm events and 2 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Flooding, and Remnants of Typhoon Halong, declared in October 2025.
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. Nome Census Area's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.