Alaska Summary

From 1980-2024, there were 8 confirmed weather/climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion each to affect Alaska. These events included 8 wildfire events. The 1980–2024 annual average is 0.2 events (CPI-adjusted); the annual average for the most recent 5 years (2020–2024) is 0.2 events (CPI-adjusted).

Billion-dollar events to affect Alaska from 1980 to 2024 (CPI-Adjusted)
Disaster TypeEventsEvents/​YearPercent FrequencyTotal CostsPercent of Total Costs
Drought----------
Flooding----------
Freeze----------
Severe Storm----------
Tropical Cyclone----------
Wildfire80.2100.0%$2.0B-$5.0B100.0%
Winter Storm----------
All Disasters80.2100.0%$2.0B-$5.0B100.0%
Select Time Period Comparisons of Alaska Billion-Dollar Drought, Flooding, Freeze, Severe Storm, Tropical Cyclone, Wildfire, and Winter Storm Statistics (CPI-Adjusted)
Time PeriodBillion-Dollar DisastersEvents/YearCostPercent of Total Cost
1980s (1980-1989)00.0$0M0%
1990s (1990-1999)00.0$0M0%
2000s (2000-2009)50.5$1.0B-$2.0B56.4%
2010s (2010-2019)20.2$500M-$1.0B39.9%
Last 5 Years (2020-2024)10.2$5M-$100M3.7%
Last 3 Years (2022-2024)10.3$5M-$100M3.7%
Last Year (2024)00.0$0M0%
All Years (1980-2024)80.2$2.0B-$5.0B100.0%
Billion-Dollar Events to affect Alaska
Event Type Begin
Date
End
Date
Summary CPI-Adjusted
Estimated
Cost
(in Billions)
Deaths
California and Alaska Wildfires
Summer-Fall 2019
WildfireJune 1, 2019November 30, 2019California experienced a damaging wildfire season in 2019, largely resulting from the Kincade and Saddle Ridge wildfires. In addition, a key California electrical utility provider turned off power to millions of homes and businesses several times during days with forecasted high winds and extremely dry conditions. This step was designed to minimize wildfires, with some success, but it also caused billions of dollars in losses to those affected. Alaska also suffered a near-historic wildfire season with more than 2.5 million acres burned. These wildfire conditions were primed due to Alaska's record-breaking heat and dry conditions during the summer months. July 2019 was the warmest month ever recorded in Alaska.$5.5 CI3
Western Wildfires
Summer-Fall 2009
WildfireJune 1, 2009November 30, 2009Residual and sustained drought conditions across western and south-central states resulted in thousands of wildfires. Most affected states include CA, AZ, NM, TX, OK, and UT. National wildfire acreage burned exceeds 5.9 million acres. Over 200 homes and structures destroyed in the California "Station" fire alone.$1.5 CI10
Western Fire Season
Fall 2002
WildfireSeptember 1, 2002November 30, 2002Major wildfires over 11 western states from the Rockies to the west coast due to drought and periodic high winds, with over 7.1 million acres burned.$2.3 CI21

Deaths associated with drought are the result of heat waves. (Not all droughts are accompanied by extreme heat waves.)

Flooding events (river basin or urban flooding from excessive rainfall) are separate from inland flood damage caused by tropical cyclone events.

Citing this information: