Skagway Municipality, Alaska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AK
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 0th
Skagway Municipality faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 0.5, 0th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and avalanche exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $675K.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Skagway Municipality at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 0.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 0th 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 landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $72K in expected annual loss and about 5.33 events per year; avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at Low risk — $3K in expected annual loss and about 0.10 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Very Low risk — $173K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $675K in expected annual loss for a population of 1K.
Beyond physical exposure, Skagway Municipality has a medium 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.
History supports the rating: Skagway Municipality has received 3 federal disaster declarations since 2020, including 2 for biological events and 1 for mud/landslide events. The most recent was Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (mud/landslide), declared in February 2021.
Among 30 Alaska counties, Skagway Municipality ranks #29 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 5.33 / yr | $72K |
| Avalanche | Low | 0.10 / yr | $3K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $173K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 27.19 / yr | $34K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 8.79 / yr | $351K |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.30 / yr | $6K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $852 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $602 |
| Lightning | Very Low | 6.14 / yr | $2K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $33K |
| 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 |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Skagway Municipality has received 3 federal disaster declarations since 2020, most recently Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in February 2021. Most frequent causes: Biological (2), Mud/Landslide (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| February 2021 | Mud/Landslide | Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 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 Skagway Municipality?
Skagway Municipality has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 0.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 0th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Skagway Municipality?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $72K EAL), Avalanche (Low, $3K EAL), Earthquake (Very Low, $173K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Skagway Municipality compare to other Alaska counties?
Skagway Municipality ranks #29 of 30 Alaska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Skagway Municipality had?
FEMA records 3 federal disaster declarations for Skagway Municipality since 2020, most often 2 for biological events and 1 for mud/landslide events. The most recent was Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, declared in February 2021.
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. Skagway Municipality's $675K EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.