Wrangell City and Borough, Alaska
City and Borough storm and disaster record · FIPS 02275 · population 2,120 · 2,556 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 437 records for Wrangell City and Borough, Alaska from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 331 days; the most frequent are high wind and dust records (225 records). 437 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 December 21, 2003 high wind ($802,000 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, and Landslides” on April 6, 2024.
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
- 437on 331 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 03 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $2.2Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- FEMA declarations
- 3latest 2024
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 Wrangell City and Borough most?
The most frequent records are high wind and dust records: 225 since 1997. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High wind and dust storms | 225 | 187 | 1997-2026 | 0 | 0 | $2.0M | 6 of 29 |
| Winter storms | 198 | 147 | 1999-2024 | 0 | 3 | $221K | 6 of 29 |
| Extreme cold | 11 | 6 | 2003-2009 | 0 | 0 | – | 7 of 29 |
| Wildfires | 2 | 1 | 2005-2005 | 0 | 0 | – | 8 of 29 |
| Floods | 1 | 1 | 2005-2005 | 0 | 0 | $30K | 19 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 Wrangell City and Borough?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the April 28, 2015 high wind ($311,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
Numerous downed trees with damage and power outages. Tree fell across the Creek Street boardwalk and also severed a gas line. Ketchikan Public Schools were closed for the day. Alaska Airlines flights were canceled during the morning. An anemometer at the shipyard at Tongass Narrows recorded gusts to 104 MPH. Damage to home siding was photographed.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 564682)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-13 | High WindWrangell City and Borough · forecast zone City And Borough Of Wrangell | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-09-17 | High WindWrangell City and Borough · forecast zone City And Borough Of Wrangell | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2015-04-28 | High WindKetchikan Gateway Borough and 2 more · forecast zone Southern Inner Channels | 90 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $311K |
| 2014-11-05 | High WindKetchikan Gateway Borough and 2 more · forecast zone Southern Inner Channels | 70 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $374K |
| 2005-01-18 | Ice StormPetersburg Borough and 2 more · forecast zone Inner Channels From Kupreanof Island To Etolin Island | 0 | 3 | $91K | |
| 2003-12-21 | High WindKetchikan Gateway Borough and 2 more · forecast zone Southern Inner Channels | 78 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $802K |
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 |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003-12-21 | High WindKetchikan Gateway Borough and 2 more · forecast zone Southern Inner Channels | 78 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $802K |
| 2014-11-05 | High WindKetchikan Gateway Borough and 2 more · forecast zone Southern Inner Channels | 70 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $374K |
| 2015-04-28 | High WindKetchikan Gateway Borough and 2 more · forecast zone Southern Inner Channels | 90 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $311K |
| 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 Wrangell City and 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 27 | 103 | 67 | 28 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 6 | 93 | 56 | 43 |
| Extreme cold | – | – | – | – | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
Records by month in Wrangell City and Borough. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 97 · Feb 65 · Mar 37 · Apr 16 · May 1 · Jun 0 · Jul 1 · Aug 6 · Sep 12 · Oct 51 · Nov 58 · Dec 93 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Wrangell City and Borough
FEMA's register lists 3 declarations that include Wrangell City and 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-04-06 | DR-4767 | Mud/Landslide | Severe Storm, Flooding, and Landslides |
| 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 Wrangell City and Borough
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Wrangell City and Borough Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $172,000. 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 Low | $31K | 5.9 a year (modeled) |
| Avalanche | Relatively Low | $4K | once in about 30 years (modeled) |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | $63 | once in about 3,333 years (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | $16K | 9.3 a year (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Very Low | $11K | once in about 208 years (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | $3K | once in about 67 years (modeled) |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | $3K | once in about 32 years (modeled) |
| Wildfire | Very Low | $478 | once in about 100,034 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Wrangell City and Borough
Source: U.S. Census Bureau county adjacency file; NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records since 1950. The Census Bureau's adjacency file.
Next
- High wind and dust storms in AlaskaThe state's high wind and dust 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 Wrangell City and BoroughThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Wrangell City and Borough's FEMA declarations (CSV)3 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis