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Old Harbor Alaska aerial viewPhoto: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, photographer unknown · Public domain
–Not graded
Natural hazards in Old Harbor · FEMA

Storms, floods and disasters in Old Harbor

Old Harbor isn’t graded for hazard risk: Old Harbor has 162 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more.

Flood claims
0
paid since 1978 · $0
Disasters paid out here
1
of 5 declared for Kodiak Island Borough
By hazard

What Old Harbor faces

Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.

Tsunamis

58%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts

Earthquakes

40%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
Smaller shares here
 River and rain flooding Landslides top 1% Wildfire Winter storms Tornadoes Ice storms Lightning Volcanic activity top 3%
FEMA models no building damage here
Coastal floodingHurricanesHailStrong windCold wavesHeat wavesAvalanches

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. 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.

Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Flood insurance claims

Does Old Harbor flood? No paid flood claims on record

FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Old Harbor. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.

Disasters

1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Old Harbor

Disasters that paid out in Old Harbor itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Old Harbor), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2002Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Coastal Erosion and Tidal Surge$14K to the City of Old Harbor for repairs
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in Old HarborKodiak Island Borough only

Kodiak Island Borough has had 5 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.

Were you here?

Old photos of Old Harbor after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the Old Harbor archive →
Be ready

Get ready for what Old Harbor faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

Tsunamis
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Earthquakes
  • Drop, cover and hold on.
  • Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
  • Know how to shut off the gas.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in Old Harbor

Is Old Harbor 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.

How much is flood insurance in Old Harbor?

FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Old Harbor’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 Old Harbor?

By FEMA money that reached Old Harbor, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Coastal Erosion and Tidal Surge (2002): $14K to the City of Old Harbor for repairs.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Old Harbor.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Old Harbor’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.