Photo: Federal Aviation Administration, Alaskan Region · Public domainStorms, floods and disasters in Akiak
Akiak isn’t graded for hazard risk: Akiak has 377 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more.
What Akiak faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Tsunamis
Wildfire
Winter storms
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage); winter storms is FEMA’s “Winter Weather” (snow, sleet and freezing rain). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
Does Akiak flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Akiak. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Akiak isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bethel Census Area.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Akiak
Disasters that paid out in Akiak itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Akiak), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Flooding, and Remnants of Typhoon Halong12 households applied for aid$44K aid approved
- 2009Flooding and Ice Jams68 households applied for aid$793K aid approved$15K to the City of Akiak for repairs
Its 2 counties have had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms.
Old photos of Akiak after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Akiak archive →Get ready for what Akiak faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Strong shaking or a sudden drop in the sea means head for high ground now.
- Learn the tsunami route signs near the shore.
- Stay away until officials say it’s safe.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- Keep a shovel, a blanket and snacks in the car.
- Clear snow from furnace and dryer vents.
- Check on older neighbors when the power goes out.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Akiak
Is Akiak in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Bethel Census Area, 2.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Akiak?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Akiak’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Akiak?
By FEMA money that reached Akiak, Flooding and Ice Jams (2009): 68 households applied for aid, $793K approved, and $15K to the City of Akiak for repairs.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Akiak.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Akiak’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.