Natural Disaster Risk in Ketchikan

Natural Hazard Profile: Ketchikan, Alaska

Ketchikan is a city of approximately 13,768 residents in Ketchikan Gateway County, in Alaska, the northernmost U.S. state. The area experiences subarctic conditions with extreme cold winters and brief summers, with severe winter storms shaping the pattern of natural hazards that residents encounter. Understanding the local risk profile is essential for anyone living in, moving to, or owning property in Ketchikan.

FEMA rates Ketchikan's composite natural disaster risk at 4.4 out of 10 — moderate risk. The threat of tsunami inundation tops the local coastal risk profile, requiring residents in low-lying areas to maintain awareness of evacuation routes and warning systems. Residents should also account for volcano and avalanche risk in their preparedness planning.

Ketchikan's risk score, near the 4.6/10 state average and near the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Ketchikan Gateway County, the highest-scoring are tsunami, volcano, and avalanche. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

Ketchikan's moderate risk profile means that while catastrophic events are less frequent, they do occur. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers many common hazards here, but confirming that tsunami exposure is adequately protected is a worthwhile step for property owners.