Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska
Natural disaster risk, federal disaster history and flood insurance facts.
Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska has a relatively low overall risk from natural hazards in FEMA's National Risk Index. Its risk score is higher than 67% of US counties. It ranks 5th of 30 boroughs and census areas in Alaska. The costliest hazards here are tsunamis, earthquakes and volcanic activity. FEMA estimates about $29 million a year in expected losses, or roughly $5,660 per resident. Since 2004 it has been included in 4 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events (4 major disasters). The most recent was in October 2025 (severe storms, flooding and remnants of typhoon halong). No homes here carry federal flood insurance.
FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; OpenFEMA declarations to Nov 6, 2026; NFIP records. Updated November 6, 2026.
Top risks in Aleutians West Census Area
- Learn the tsunami evacuation route signs.
- If you feel a strong quake near the coast, move to high ground right away.
- Ask whether an older house is bolted to its foundation.
- Consider separate earthquake insurance where risk is high.
- Follow USGS volcano alerts.
- Keep masks and goggles for ash fall.
All 18 hazards
What the ratings mean ›| Hazard | Rating | Score | Expected loss a year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tsunami | 87.7 | $20M | ||
| Earthquake | 89.7 | $6M | ||
| Volcanic activity | 98.7 | $3M | ||
| Avalanche | 80.1 | $457K | ||
| Landslide | 87.5 | $47K | ||
| Winter weather | 17.9 | $17K | ||
| Ice storm | 4.5 | $2K | ||
| Cold wave | 3.1 | $395 | ||
| Lightning | 0.0 | $24 | ||
| Tornado | 0.6 | $1 |
Scores are percentiles: a score of 90 means higher risk than about 90% of US counties for that hazard. Hazards FEMA does not rate here are left out. Social vulnerability is relatively low and community resilience is very low in FEMA's measures.
Federal disaster history
Recent disasters nationwide ›Declarations by decade
Federal declarations for natural events that included Aleutians West Census Area. 2020s bar runs to November 2026.
By type
Most recent
Alaska also had 33 statewide declarations that did not name single counties.
Storm history since 1997
Tornado risk by county ›The National Weather Service has logged 6 storm reports in Aleutians West Census Area since 1997 and about $10,000 in reported damage. No tornadoes are on record here.
Most damaging storms
| Date | Type | Near | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 3, 2000 | Storm Surge/Tide | Togiak | $10K |
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, county-based reports through Aug 3, 2000. Tornado records start in 1950, hail and wind in 1955, and floods and other storm types in 1996, so older decades undercount. Damage is in dollars of the year it happened and is often an estimate. Winter storms, heat and hurricanes are logged by forecast zone, not county, so they are not counted here.
Flood insurance in Aleutians West Census Area
Check your address flood zone ›National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) records only; private flood policies are not included. Home counts as of Aug 3, 2026. Since 2021 NFIP prices each home separately under Risk Rating 2.0, so your price depends on the building, not the county. Ask an agent for a quote.
Homes in Aleutians West Census Area
Older homes and mobile homes usually suffer more damage in storms, floods and earthquakes, and can cost more to insure. If you are buying, ask about roof age, foundation bolting and any retrofits. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020 to 2024 5-year estimates; 1,356 housing units.
Compare in Alaska
All 30 ›| Largest counties | Overall risk | Top hazard |
|---|---|---|
| Anchorage Municipality | Earthquake | |
| Matanuska-Susitna Borough | Earthquake | |
| Fairbanks North Star Borough | Earthquake | |
| Kenai Peninsula Borough | Earthquake | |
| Juneau City and Borough | Earthquake | |
| Bethel Census Area | Cold wave | |
| Ketchikan Gateway Borough | Inland flooding | |
| Kodiak Island Borough | Earthquake |
Neighboring counties
| County | Overall risk | Declarations |
|---|---|---|
| Aleutians East Borough | 1 |
Common questions about Aleutians West Census Area
What is the biggest natural hazard in Aleutians West Census Area?
Tsunami has the highest expected yearly losses in Aleutians West Census Area, about $19.9 million a year in FEMA's estimate. Earthquake is second at $5.6 million.
How many federal disasters has Aleutians West Census Area had?
Aleutians West Census Area has been included in 4 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events since 2004, including 4 major disasters. The most recent was Severe Storms, Flooding, and Remnants of Typhoon Halong in October 2025.
Is Aleutians West Census Area a high-risk place to live?
Its overall rating is Relatively Low, 5th highest of 30 in Alaska. A county rating covers the whole area. Risk at one address can be much higher or lower, so check the FEMA flood map and ask about the home's history.
Do I need flood insurance in Aleutians West Census Area?
Standard home insurance does not cover flooding. Lenders require it in mapped high-risk zones, but many flood claims come from outside those zones.
How many tornadoes has Aleutians West Census Area had?
NOAA records list 0 tornadoes in Aleutians West Census Area since 1950. The weather service has also logged 0 hail reports and 0 floods here.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025), OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, and NFIP policy and claims data. Hazard Compass is independent and not affiliated with FEMA. These figures describe the whole borough, not a single property, and are not insurance or safety advice. Report a problem.