MacKinnon Apartments · Photo: NoeHill · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect less hazard damage per building than Juneau, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Juneau gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #6 of 41 in Alaska. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%), then earthquakes (41%). Flood insurance has paid 83 claims here since 1986.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Juneau’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Juneau 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
Earthquakes
Tsunamis
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). 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.
What’s behind Juneau’s grade
River and rain flooding is 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Juneau, and Juneau’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 98% of U.S. census tracts. Tsunamis add 7%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #6 of 41 in Alaska; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Juneau’s residents live in 6 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Alaska town has higher expected damage than 93% of U.S. towns; within the state, Juneau has less expected damage per building than 88% of Alaska towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.2M a year in losses across Juneau: $3.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Juneau flood? Sometimes: 83 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Juneau, from FEMA’s records: 5.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Juneau isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Juneau Borough.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Juneau
Disasters that paid out in Juneau itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Juneau), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Flooding279 households applied for aid$3.8M aid approved$716K to the Borough of Juneau for repairs32 flood claims paid that year
- 2020Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$17K to the Borough of Juneau for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
Juneau Borough has had 2 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms.
Old photos of Juneau after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Juneau archive →Get ready for what Juneau 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Juneau
Is Juneau at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Juneau has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #6 of 41 in Alaska. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%) and earthquakes (41%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Juneau flood?
Flood insurance has paid 83 claims in Juneau since 1986, $4.9M in all, or 5.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 14 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Juneau 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 Juneau Borough, 88% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 10.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Juneau?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Juneau’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 Juneau?
By FEMA money that reached Juneau, Flooding (2024): 279 households applied for aid, $3.8M approved, and $716K to the Borough of Juneau for repairs.
Is Juneau at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Juneau’s rate for it is lower than 98% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Juneau.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Juneau’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.