Wrangell City and Borough, Alaska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AK
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 0th
Wrangell City and Borough faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 0.1, 0th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and avalanche exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $172K.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Wrangell City and Borough at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 0.1 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.
Risk here concentrates in landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $31K in expected annual loss and about 5.86 events per year; avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at Low risk — $4K in expected annual loss and about 0.03 events per year; and volcanic activity (eruptions producing ashfall, lava, and pyroclastic hazards) at Very Low risk — $63 in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $172K in expected annual loss for a population of 2K.
Beyond physical exposure, Wrangell City and Borough has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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: Wrangell City and Borough 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, and Landslides (mud/landslide), declared in April 2024.
Among 30 Alaska counties, Wrangell City and Borough ranks #30 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 5.86 / yr | $31K |
| Avalanche | Low | 0.03 / yr | $4K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $63 |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 9.30 / yr | $16K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $11K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $3K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $478 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $101K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 4.53 / yr | $1K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 5.82 / 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
Wrangell City and Borough has received 3 federal disaster declarations since 2020, most recently Severe Storm, Flooding, and Landslides in April 2024. Most frequent causes: Biological (2), Mud/Landslide (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2024 | Mud/Landslide | Severe Storm, Flooding, and Landslides |
| 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 Wrangell City and Borough?
Wrangell City and Borough has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 0.1 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 Wrangell City and Borough?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $31K EAL), Avalanche (Low, $4K EAL), Volcanic Activity (Very Low, $63 EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Wrangell City and Borough compare to other Alaska counties?
Wrangell City and Borough ranks #30 of 30 Alaska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Wrangell City and Borough had?
FEMA records 3 federal disaster declarations for Wrangell City and Borough since 2020, most often 2 for biological events and 1 for mud/landslide events. The most recent was Severe Storm, Flooding, and Landslides, declared in April 2024.
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. Wrangell City and Borough's $172K EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.