Natural Disaster Risk in Yakutat County

Natural Hazard Profile: Yakutat County, Alaska

Yakutat County, in Alaska, the northernmost U.S. state in Alaska, is characterized by its subarctic climate — subarctic conditions with extreme cold winters and brief summers. The county faces severe winter storms, and its FEMA risk assessment establishes the hazard baseline shared by all the towns and cities it contains.

Yakutat County's overall natural disaster risk is rated 3.8/10 (Low) by FEMA's National Risk Index. 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. Secondary hazards include avalanche and landslide.

Within Alaska, Yakutat County's risk is, slightly below the 4.6/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks below the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Yakutat County identifies tsunami as the foremost hazard, followed by avalanche and landslide. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.

Yakutat County carries a below-average natural disaster risk, reflecting fewer and less severe hazard exposures than typical U.S. communities. Even so, the area's primary risk — tsunami — warrants awareness and appropriate insurance coverage, as lower risk does not mean zero risk.