Sitka City and Borough, Alaska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AK
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 24th
Sitka City and Borough faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 23.8, 24th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and volcanic activity exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Sitka City and Borough carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 23.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 24th 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.
Most of Sitka City and Borough's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 14.42 events per year; volcanic activity (eruptions producing ashfall, lava, and pyroclastic hazards) at Medium risk — $141K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at Medium risk — $913K in expected annual loss and about 0.07 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $7M in expected annual loss for a population of 8K.
Beyond physical exposure, Sitka City and Borough has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The federal record bears this out: Sitka City and Borough has received 2 federal disaster declarations since 2020, including 2 for biological events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 30 Alaska counties, Sitka City and Borough ranks #16 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | High | 14.42 / yr | $2M |
| Volcanic Activity | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $141K |
| Avalanche | Medium | 0.07 / yr | $913K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.05 / yr | $2M |
| Tsunami | Low | 0.30 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 6.84 / yr | $34K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $7K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $19K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $3K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 5.02 / yr | $13K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $37 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.50 / yr | $415K |
| Tornado | 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 |
Disaster History
Sitka City and Borough has received 2 federal disaster declarations since 2020, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Sitka City and Borough?
Sitka City and Borough has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 23.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 24th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Sitka City and Borough?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (High, $2M EAL), Volcanic Activity (Medium, $141K EAL), Avalanche (Medium, $913K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Sitka City and Borough compare to other Alaska counties?
Sitka City and Borough ranks #16 of 30 Alaska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Sitka City and Borough had?
FEMA records 2 federal disaster declarations for Sitka City and Borough since 2020, most often 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. Sitka City and Borough's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.