Petersburg Borough, Alaska
Borough storm and disaster record · FIPS 02195 · population 3,393 · 2,901 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 397 records for Petersburg Borough, Alaska from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 335 days; the most frequent are winter storm records (197 records). 397 of them are forecast-zone records, which the National Weather Service files once per zone: a county covered by several zones receives each one, so a single storm can add several records on the same day. The most damaging was the November 19, 2005 debris flow ($453,000 in 2025 dollars). FEMA has issued 3 declarations naming the county since 2020, 1 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides” on February 17, 2021.
The record, 1950 to 2026
Storm records filed for the county each year (2026 to June 30, 2026). Before 1996 NOAA recorded only tornadoes (from 1950), thunderstorm wind and hail (from 1955).
- recorded, no damage figure
- under $100,000
- $100,000 or more
- $1 million or more
- $10 million or more, or a death
- $100 million or more, or 10 deaths
- a year's colour: its recorded damage or deaths
- a year with a death
- 1955: wind and hail recorded from 1955
- 1996: all 48 event types from 1996
- Storm records
- 397on 335 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 05 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $2.7Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- FEMA declarations
- 3latest 2021
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records through June 30, 2026 (file revision 20260918); damage converted to 2025 dollars with the BLS CPI-U. Search the record at NCEI. BLS consumer price index.
What hazards hit Petersburg Borough most?
The most frequent records are winter storm records: 197 since 1997. 55% of its winter storm records since 1997 fell in January and February. The rank column places the county among Alaska's counties by days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land over each hazard's complete period.
| Hazard | Records | Days | First, last | Killed | Injured | Damage | Rank in state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter storms | 197 | 165 | 1997-2026 | 0 | 5 | $527K | 7 of 29 |
| High wind and dust storms | 183 | 162 | 1997-2025 | 0 | 0 | $1.4M | 9 of 29 |
| Extreme cold | 8 | 8 | 2003-2018 | 0 | 0 | – | 6 of 29 |
| Floods | 4 | 4 | 1999-2004 | 0 | 0 | $156K | 7 of 29 |
| Landslides and avalanches | 3 | 3 | 2002-2005 | 0 | 0 | $613K | 4 of 29 |
| Wildfires | 2 | 1 | 2005-2005 | 0 | 0 | – | 10 of 29 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (county and forecast-zone records attributed to the county; a zone record shows its own totals on each county it covers). Days: dates with at least one record of the hazard in the county. Ranks: days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land (Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer), since 1950 for tornadoes, 1955 for hail and thunderstorm wind, 1996 for the rest.
When was the last damaging storm in Petersburg Borough?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the January 11, 2011 high wind ($262,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
Damaging wind storm for days. Douglas Boat Harbor (FAA) had numerous gusts in the 80 MPH range. Wind shields were broken. Boats on trailers overturned. Infrastructure damaged.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 280993)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-05 | Heavy SnowPetersburg Borough · forecast zone Petersburg Borough | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-09-26 | High WindPetersburg Borough · forecast zone Petersburg Borough | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-01-30 | Winter StormPetersburg Borough · forecast zone Petersburg Borough | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2011-01-11 | High WindHoonah-Angoon Census Area and 2 more · forecast zone Juneau Borough And Northern Admiralty Island | 77 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $262K |
| 2005-11-19 | Debris FlowHoonah-Angoon Census Area and 2 more · forecast zone Juneau Borough And Northern Admiralty Island | 0 | 0 | $453K | |
| 2005-01-18 | Ice StormPetersburg Borough and 2 more · forecast zone Inner Channels From Kupreanof Island To Etolin Island | 0 | 3 | $91K | |
| 2005-01-16 | Heavy SnowHoonah-Angoon Census Area and 2 more · forecast zone Juneau Borough And Northern Admiralty Island | 0 | 2 | $136K |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database; every record of 2025-2026 is listed, earlier ones when they caused deaths, injuries or $250,000 of damage (2025 dollars), and every tornado.
The deadliest and costliest records
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005-01-18 | Ice StormPetersburg Borough and 2 more · forecast zone Inner Channels From Kupreanof Island To Etolin Island The most significant ice storm in Southeast Alaska in modern times occurred during a major overrunning event. Up to an inch of ice accumulated on surfaces in the Petersburg area Tuesday into Wednesday. Alaska Airline flights into Petersburg were cancelled and several minor traffic accidents occurred. Power lines ... | 0 | 3 | $91K | |
| 2005-01-16 | Heavy SnowHoonah-Angoon Census Area and 2 more · forecast zone Juneau Borough And Northern Admiralty Island A major overrunning precipitation event took place in Southeast Alaska during this time. In response to a low pressure system approaching the Panhandle from the southwest, an arctic front moved down through Lynn Canal on Saturday the 15th. This front ultimately stalled near a Cape Spencer-Petersburg-Hyder line. The ... | 0 | 2 | $136K |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005-11-19 | Debris FlowHoonah-Angoon Census Area and 2 more · forecast zone Juneau Borough And Northern Admiralty Island | 0 | 0 | $453K | |
| 2011-01-11 | High WindHoonah-Angoon Census Area and 2 more · forecast zone Juneau Borough And Northern Admiralty Island | 77 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $262K |
| 2005-01-16 | Heavy SnowHoonah-Angoon Census Area and 2 more · forecast zone Juneau Borough And Northern Admiralty Island | 0 | 2 | $136K | |
| 2005-01-18 | Ice StormPetersburg Borough and 2 more · forecast zone Inner Channels From Kupreanof Island To Etolin Island | 0 | 3 | $91K |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: deaths and injuries direct and indirect; damage is property plus crops as estimated by the National Weather Service, converted to 2025 dollars.
Is it getting more frequent?
Records per decade for Petersburg Borough's most frequent hazards. Counts rose everywhere after 1996, when NOAA began recording every event type, so compare decades within a hazard's complete period only (the shaded cells come before it).
| Hazard | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 12 | 84 | 60 | 41 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 21 | 63 | 68 | 31 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
55% of its winter storm records since 1997 fell in January and February. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 102 · Feb 73 · Mar 43 · Apr 10 · May 1 · Jun 1 · Jul 1 · Aug 3 · Sep 9 · Oct 29 · Nov 62 · Dec 63 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Petersburg Borough
FEMA's register lists 3 declarations that include Petersburg Borough: 2 major disasters, one emergency and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for biological (2) and mud/landslide (1).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-02-17 | DR-4585 | Mud/Landslide | Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2020-04-09 | DR-4533 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3446 | Biological | Covid-19 |
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2), declarations through October 2, 2026; one declaration is counted once however many areas it names. OpenFEMA dataset page.
FEMA's modeled risk for Petersburg Borough
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Petersburg Borough Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $5.1 million. These are FEMA's model estimates of future loss from 18 hazards, not a count of what happened; they can differ from the record above.
| Hazard | Risk rating | Expected annual loss | Modeled frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landslide | Relatively High | $3.0M | 5.7 a year (modeled) |
| Avalanche | Relatively High | $1.8M | once in about 15 years (modeled) |
| Volcanic Activity | Relatively Low | $3K | once in about 2,500 years (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low | $26K | 13 a year (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Very Low | $20K | once in about 180 years (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | $8K | once in about 67 years (modeled) |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | $6K | once in about 10 years (modeled) |
| Wildfire | Very Low | $991 | once in about 87,470 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Petersburg Borough
Source: U.S. Census Bureau county adjacency file; NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records since 1950. The Census Bureau's adjacency file.
Next
- Winter storms in AlaskaThe state's winter storm records, by county, year and month
- The Alaska recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Petersburg BoroughThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Petersburg Borough's FEMA declarations (CSV)3 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis