Bethel Census Area, Alaska
Natural disaster risk, federal disaster history and flood insurance facts.
Bethel Census Area, Alaska has a relatively low overall risk from natural hazards in FEMA's National Risk Index. Its risk score is lower than 56% of US counties. It ranks 11th of 30 boroughs and census areas in Alaska. The costliest hazards here are cold waves, inland flooding and wildfires. FEMA estimates about $8.3 million a year in expected losses, or roughly $445 per resident. Since 1989 it has been included in 18 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events (18 major disasters). The most recent was in October 2025 (severe storms, flooding and remnants of typhoon halong). About 1 in 42 homes here carry federal flood insurance (106 policies). Since 1978, federal flood insurance has paid about $306,000 on 45 claims here.
FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; OpenFEMA declarations to Nov 6, 2026; NFIP records. Updated November 6, 2026.
Top risks in Bethel Census Area
- Insulate pipes in outside walls, crawl spaces and garages.
- Know how to shut off the main water valve.
- Check the FEMA flood map for your address, and ask the seller or landlord about past flooding.
- Price a flood policy now. Most new federal policies take 30 days to start.
- Clear dry plants and debris within 5 feet of the house.
- Get home insurance quotes early; availability varies by area.
All 18 hazards
What the ratings mean ›| Hazard | Rating | Score | Expected loss a year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cold wave | 94.9 | $7M | ||
| Inland flooding | 9.6 | $759K | ||
| Wildfire | 83.8 | $372K | ||
| Winter weather | 89.7 | $237K | ||
| Earthquake | 49.4 | $158K | ||
| Lightning | 27.5 | $59K | ||
| Tsunami | 16.9 | $54K | ||
| Avalanche | 74.7 | $8K | ||
| Ice storm | 4.8 | $1K | ||
| Tornado | 1.4 | $783 | ||
| Landslide | 37.8 | $335 | ||
| Strong wind | 1.0 | $189 | ||
| Hail | 0.9 | $82 | ||
| Volcanic activity | 42.0 | $4 |
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 very high and community resilience is relatively low in FEMA's measures.
Federal disaster history
Recent disasters nationwide ›Declarations by decade
Federal declarations for natural events that included Bethel Census Area. 2020s bar runs to November 2026.
By type
Most recent
Show all 18
Alaska also had 33 statewide declarations that did not name single counties.
Flood insurance in Bethel 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 Bethel 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; 6,011 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Matanuska-Susitna Borough | 18 | |
| Kenai Peninsula Borough | 18 | |
| Kusilvak Census Area | 1 | |
| Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area | 17 | |
| Dillingham Census Area | 4 | |
| Lake and Peninsula Borough | 1 |
Common questions about Bethel Census Area
What is the biggest natural hazard in Bethel Census Area?
Cold wave has the highest expected yearly losses in Bethel Census Area, about $6.6 million a year in FEMA's estimate. Inland flooding is second at $759,399.
How many federal disasters has Bethel Census Area had?
Bethel Census Area has been included in 18 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events since 1989, including 18 major disasters. The most recent was Severe Storms, Flooding, and Remnants of Typhoon Halong in October 2025.
Is Bethel Census Area a high-risk place to live?
Its overall rating is Relatively Low, 11th 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 Bethel Census Area?
Standard home insurance does not cover flooding. About 1 in 42 homes in Bethel Census Area has federal flood insurance. Lenders require it in mapped high-risk zones, but many flood claims come from outside those zones.
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.