Western District, American Samoa Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AS
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 0th
Western District faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 0.0, 0th national percentile), driven primarily by a mix of natural hazards exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $18M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Western District is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 0.0 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.
No individual hazard records measurable expected loss in Western District in the current dataset, which keeps its overall expected annual loss low at $18M.
Beyond physical exposure, Western District has a very low 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Western District has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1966, including 5 for hurricane events and 4 for typhoon events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 3 American Samoa counties, Western District ranks #3 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.33 / yr | $15K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $5M |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $5M |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 3.11 / yr | $617K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Lightning | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.36 / yr | $7M |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $14K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Western District has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1966, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (5), Typhoon (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2018 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Gita |
| February 2018 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Gita |
| September 2014 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides |
| September 2009 | Earthquake | Earthquake,Tsunami, and Flooding |
| February 2005 | Typhoon | Tc Olaf, Includ. High Winds and Surf and Heavy Rainfall |
| January 2004 | Typhoon | High Winds, High Surf, and Heavy Rainfall Associated with Tropcial Cyclone Heta |
| June 2003 | Severe Storm | Heavy Rainfall, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| December 1991 | Hurricane | Hurricane Val |
Showing the 10 most recent of 16 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Western District?
Western District has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 0.0 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 Western District?
The three highest-rated hazards are Avalanche (Very Low, $0 EAL), Coastal Flood (Very Low, $15K EAL), Cold Wave (Very Low, $0 EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Western District compare to other American Samoa counties?
Western District ranks #3 of 3 American Samoa counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Western District had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Western District since 1966, most often 5 for hurricane events and 4 for typhoon 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. Western District's $18M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.