Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska
Natural disaster risk, federal disaster history and flood insurance facts.
Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska has a very low overall risk from natural hazards in FEMA's National Risk Index. Its risk score is lower than 98% of US counties. It ranks 26th of 30 boroughs and census areas in Alaska. The costliest hazards here are inland flooding, avalanches and tsunamis. FEMA estimates about $1.9 million a year in expected losses, or roughly $134 per resident. Since 2024 it has been included in 1 federal disaster or emergency declaration for natural events (1 major disaster). The most recent was in November 2024 (landslides). About 1 in 67 homes here carry federal flood insurance (60 policies). Since 1978, federal flood insurance has paid about $129,000 on 11 claims here.
FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; OpenFEMA declarations to Nov 6, 2026; NFIP records. Updated November 6, 2026.
Top risks in Ketchikan Gateway Borough
- 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.
- Check avalanche forecasts before backcountry trips.
- Ask about slide paths near mountain homes.
- Learn the tsunami evacuation route signs.
- If you feel a strong quake near the coast, move to high ground right away.
All 18 hazards
What the ratings mean ›| Hazard | Rating | Score | Expected loss a year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inland flooding | 4.5 | $722K | ||
| Avalanche | 80.4 | $457K | ||
| Tsunami | 36.9 | $432K | ||
| Earthquake | 31.2 | $94K | ||
| Winter weather | 53.1 | $78K | ||
| Landslide | 87.0 | $42K | ||
| Ice storm | 19.4 | $17K | ||
| Lightning | 4.4 | $16K | ||
| Wildfire | 10.9 | $4K | ||
| Coastal flooding | 26.0 | $3K | ||
| Volcanic activity | 80.1 | $652 | ||
| Tornado | 0.2 | $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 low and community resilience is relatively high in FEMA's measures.
Federal disaster history
Recent disasters nationwide ›Declarations by decade
Federal declarations for natural events that included Ketchikan Gateway Borough. 2020s bar runs to November 2026.
By type
Most recent
Alaska also had 33 statewide declarations that did not name single counties.
Flood insurance in Ketchikan Gateway 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 Ketchikan Gateway 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; 6,698 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area | 1 | |
| Wrangell City and Borough | 1 |
Common questions about Ketchikan Gateway Borough
What is the biggest natural hazard in Ketchikan Gateway Borough?
Inland flooding has the highest expected yearly losses in Ketchikan Gateway Borough, about $722,478 a year in FEMA's estimate. Avalanche is second at $456,669.
How many federal disasters has Ketchikan Gateway Borough had?
Ketchikan Gateway Borough has been included in 1 federal disaster or emergency declaration for natural events since 2024, including 1 major disaster. The most recent was Landslides in November 2024.
Is Ketchikan Gateway Borough a high-risk place to live?
Its overall rating is Very Low, 26th 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 Ketchikan Gateway Borough?
Standard home insurance does not cover flooding. About 1 in 67 homes in Ketchikan Gateway 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.