Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska
Natural disaster risk, federal disaster history and flood insurance facts.
Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska has a moderate overall risk from natural hazards in FEMA's National Risk Index. Its risk score is higher than 93% of US counties. It ranks 3rd of 30 boroughs and census areas in Alaska. The costliest hazards here are earthquakes, tsunamis and avalanches. FEMA estimates about $121 million a year in expected losses, or roughly $2,052 per resident. Since 1986 it has been included in 18 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events (14 major disasters). The most recent was in July 2022 (landslide). Fewer than 1 in 100 homes here carry federal flood insurance (288 policies). Since 1978, federal flood insurance has paid about $688,000 on 83 claims here.
FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; OpenFEMA declarations to Nov 6, 2026; NFIP records. Updated November 6, 2026.
Top risks in Kenai Peninsula Borough
- Ask whether an older house is bolted to its foundation.
- Consider separate earthquake insurance where risk is high.
- Learn the tsunami evacuation route signs.
- If you feel a strong quake near the coast, move to high ground right away.
- Check avalanche forecasts before backcountry trips.
- Ask about slide paths near mountain homes.
All 18 hazards
What the ratings mean ›| Hazard | Rating | Score | Expected loss a year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Earthquake | 98.7 | $87M | ||
| Tsunami | 81.5 | $10M | ||
| Avalanche | 99.7 | $10M | ||
| Wildfire | 97.1 | $7M | ||
| Inland flooding | 43.8 | $5M | ||
| Winter weather | 93.9 | $535K | ||
| Landslide | 97.2 | $285K | ||
| Cold wave | 14.2 | $129K | ||
| Lightning | 14.9 | $47K | ||
| Ice storm | 25.0 | $21K | ||
| Volcanic activity | 89.9 | $13K | ||
| Coastal flooding | 33.8 | $7K | ||
| Hail | 2.7 | $4K | ||
| Tornado | 0.8 | $3 | ||
| Drought | 12.3 | $0 |
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 moderate 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 Kenai Peninsula Borough. 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 Kenai Peninsula 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 Kenai Peninsula 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; 32,836 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Anchorage Municipality | 5 | |
| Matanuska-Susitna Borough | 18 | |
| Bethel Census Area | 18 | |
| Kodiak Island Borough | 5 | |
| Chugach Census Area | 7 | |
| Lake and Peninsula Borough | 1 |
Common questions about Kenai Peninsula Borough
What is the biggest natural hazard in Kenai Peninsula Borough?
Earthquake has the highest expected yearly losses in Kenai Peninsula Borough, about $87.4 million a year in FEMA's estimate. Tsunami is second at $10.2 million.
How many federal disasters has Kenai Peninsula Borough had?
Kenai Peninsula Borough has been included in 18 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events since 1986, including 14 major disasters. The most recent was Landslide in July 2022.
Is Kenai Peninsula Borough a high-risk place to live?
Its overall rating is Relatively Moderate, 3rd 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 Kenai Peninsula Borough?
Standard home insurance does not cover flooding. About 1 in 125 homes in Kenai Peninsula 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.