Photo: Joseph from Cabin On The Road, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Valdez than in 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Valdez gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #15 of 41 in Alaska. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (72%), then tsunamis (15%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1981.
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 Valdez’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Valdez faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
Tsunamis
River and rain flooding
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 Valdez’s grade
Earthquakes are 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Valdez, and Valdez’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Tsunamis add 15%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #15 of 41 in Alaska; higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Valdez’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Alaska town has higher expected damage than 93% of U.S. towns; within the state, Valdez has less expected damage per building than 65% of Alaska towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.4M a year in losses across Valdez: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Valdez flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Valdez, from FEMA’s records: 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Valdez is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Valdez
Disasters that paid out in Valdez itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Valdez), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$155K to the City of Valdez for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Severe Winter Storms and Avalanches$106K to the City of Valdez for repairs
Old photos of Valdez after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Valdez archive →Get ready for what Valdez faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Valdez residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Valdez
Is Valdez at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Valdez has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #15 of 41 in Alaska. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (72%) and tsunamis (15%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Valdez flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Valdez since 1981, $68K in all, or 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Valdez 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 Valdez?
Valdez is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Valdez?
By FEMA money that reached Valdez, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2006): $155K to the City of Valdez for repairs.
Is Valdez at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Valdez’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Valdez.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Valdez’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.