Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska
Natural disaster risk, federal disaster history and flood insurance facts.
Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska has a moderate overall risk from natural hazards in FEMA's National Risk Index. Its risk score is higher than 88% of US counties. It ranks 4th of 30 boroughs and census areas in Alaska. The costliest hazards here are earthquakes, cold waves and wildfires. FEMA estimates about $101 million a year in expected losses, or roughly $1,060 per resident. Since 1989 it has been included in 14 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events (8 major disasters). The most recent was in July 2025 (Nenana Ridge Complex). About 1 in 53 homes here carry federal flood insurance (563 policies). Since 1978, federal flood insurance has paid about $2.6 million on 244 claims here.
FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; OpenFEMA declarations to Nov 6, 2026; NFIP records. Updated November 6, 2026.
Top risks in Fairbanks North Star Borough
- Ask whether an older house is bolted to its foundation.
- Consider separate earthquake insurance where risk is high.
- Insulate pipes in outside walls, crawl spaces and garages.
- Know how to shut off the main water valve.
- 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Earthquake | 97.6 | $55M | ||
| Cold wave | 96.5 | $20M | ||
| Wildfire | 97.6 | $13M | ||
| Inland flooding | 45.7 | $8M | ||
| Landslide | 99.4 | $3M | ||
| Winter weather | 97.5 | $2M | ||
| Avalanche | 79.2 | $457K | ||
| Lightning | 60.0 | $452K | ||
| Ice storm | 35.8 | $59K | ||
| Strong wind | 1.3 | $5K | ||
| Hail | 1.2 | $1K | ||
| Volcanic activity | 53.4 | $23 | ||
| Tornado | 0.7 | $2 |
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 low 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 Fairbanks North Star Borough. 2020s bar runs to November 2026.
By type
Most recent
Show all 14
Alaska also had 33 statewide declarations that did not name single counties.
Flood insurance in Fairbanks North Star Borough
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 Fairbanks North Star Borough
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; 42,680 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Southeast Fairbanks Census Area | 11 | |
| Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area | 17 | |
| Denali Borough | 8 |
Cities in Fairbanks North Star Borough
Common questions about Fairbanks North Star Borough
What is the biggest natural hazard in Fairbanks North Star Borough?
Earthquake has the highest expected yearly losses in Fairbanks North Star Borough, about $55.4 million a year in FEMA's estimate. Cold wave is second at $20 million.
How many federal disasters has Fairbanks North Star Borough had?
Fairbanks North Star Borough has been included in 14 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events since 1989, including 8 major disasters. The most recent was Nenana Ridge Complex in July 2025.
Is Fairbanks North Star Borough a high-risk place to live?
Its overall rating is Relatively Moderate, 4th 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 Fairbanks North Star Borough?
Standard home insurance does not cover flooding. About 1 in 53 homes in Fairbanks North Star Borough 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.