Fairbanks, AK
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Fairbanks is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk — near the middle compared to other US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK. The county's highest-rated hazards are landslide, wildfire, and earthquake.
Storm events near Fairbanks
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Fairbanks's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Fairbanks itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Fairbanks North Star Borough's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Fairbanks along with the rest of the county, not a Fairbanks-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 97.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Inland Flooding | 45.7 | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 97.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | — | Insufficient Data |
| Tornado | 0.7 | Very Low |
| Avalanche | 79.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | 96.5 | Relatively High |
| Drought | 0 | No Rating |
| Hail | 1.2 | Very Low |
| Hurricane | — | Not Applicable |
| Ice Storm | 35.8 | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | 99.4 | Relatively High |
| Lightning | 60 | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | 1.3 | Very Low |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | 53.4 | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | 97.5 | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Fairbanks North Star Borough risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Fairbanks North Star Borough:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Fairbanks, AK at risk of?
Fairbanks is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — near the middle compared to other US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Fairbanks North Star Borough, where Fairbanks is located, are landslide, wildfire, and earthquake.
What is Fairbanks's biggest natural hazard risk?
Landslide is the highest-rated hazard for Fairbanks North Star Borough, where Fairbanks is located, scoring 99.4 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Fairbanks a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Somewhat — Fairbanks carries near the middle compared to other US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Moderate" for Fairbanks North Star Borough.
Has Fairbanks had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 2 hail, 2 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Fairbanks since 2016.