Creek Street Historic District · Photo: Jerzystrzelecki · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect less hazard damage per building than Ketchikan, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ketchikan gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #1 of 41 in Alaska. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then tsunamis (26%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2015.
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 Ketchikan 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
Earthquakes
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 Ketchikan’s grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ketchikan, and Ketchikan’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is among the lowest of U.S. census tracts. Tsunamis add 26%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #1 of 41 in Alaska; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ketchikan’s residents live in 2 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, Ketchikan has less expected damage per building than 100% of Alaska towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Ketchikan: $661K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ketchikan flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2015
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ketchikan, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Ketchikan isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ketchikan Gateway Borough.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Ketchikan
Disasters that paid out in Ketchikan itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ketchikan), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Landslides$1.7M to the City of Ketchikan for repairs
Ketchikan Gateway Borough has had 1 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms.
Old photos of Ketchikan after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ketchikan archive →Get ready for what Ketchikan 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Ketchikan
Is Ketchikan at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ketchikan has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #1 of 41 in Alaska. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and tsunamis (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ketchikan flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Ketchikan since 2015, $32K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan Gateway Borough, 1.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Ketchikan?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ketchikan’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 Ketchikan?
By FEMA money that reached Ketchikan, Landslides (2024): $1.7M to the City of Ketchikan for repairs.
Is Ketchikan at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Ketchikan’s rate for it is among the lowest of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ketchikan.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ketchikan’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.