Alaska shakes every day, and big quakes are part of life here. If you own a home in Anchorage, Eagle River, or a nearby community, you may wonder if your place is ready. You want clear steps that protect your family, reduce damage, and make smart financial sense. This guide gives you practical actions, from weekend fixes to pro-led retrofits, plus planning and insurance basics. Let’s dive in.
Alaska earthquake risk at a glance
Alaska is the most seismically active state in the country, with a history that includes the 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake. The main risk for most homes is strong ground shaking, which can topple appliances, damage utilities, and stress building connections.
Risk varies across the state. Southcentral communities like Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula are especially active. Interior areas also feel quakes, and coastal areas add tsunami considerations. For current activity and local maps, use the Alaska Earthquake Center and the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program. To understand long-term risk in your area, review USGS seismic hazard maps and check with local emergency management about tsunami and evacuation zones.
Spot common home risks
Utilities and water heaters
Unstrapped water heaters can fall, break pipes, and cause gas leaks or flooding. Rigid gas connectors can snap if appliances shift. Knowing how and when to shut off utilities is essential.
Furniture and TVs
Tall bookcases, dressers, freestanding cabinets, and large TVs can tip and injure people or block exits. Heavy items on high shelves are a hazard.
Crawlspaces and soft stories
Homes with raised wood floors over short “cripple” walls are vulnerable if those walls are not braced and the sill plate is not bolted to the foundation. Garage-front homes with big openings can be soft story risks.
Masonry and chimneys
Brick chimneys and unreinforced masonry are brittle and can collapse in shaking.
Fuel tanks and exterior hazards
Propane tanks, fuel tanks, and heavy exterior fixtures can shift or fall. Rigid utility lines can break.
Tsunami exposure
Coastal properties may face tsunami risk. Evacuation planning is the priority for these homes.
Quick wins you can do this weekend
- Strap the water heater with a listed kit, securing to wall studs at the top and mid-height. Follow manufacturer instructions and turn off utilities as required.
- Replace rigid gas connectors with flexible stainless-steel connectors, and make sure you have an accessible shutoff wrench. Follow your gas utility’s guidance on when to shut off gas.
- Anchor tall furniture and large TVs to wall studs using anti-tip brackets or straps. Use proper wall anchors where studs are not present.
- Add cabinet latches to keep dishes and glassware from flying out. Use museum putty for small valuables and electronics.
- Move heavy items to lower shelves. Avoid placing heavy decor above beds or sofas.
- Build or update an emergency kit sized for Alaska winters. Include warm clothing, insulated sleeping bags, hand warmers, a flashlight, batteries, and a safe way to heat or cook if the power is out.
Moderate upgrades to schedule
- Install a seismic gas shutoff valve or excess-flow device, and coordinate with your utility. Professional installation is recommended.
- Brace and strap elevated water heaters and fuel tanks with approved hardware.
- Brace cripple walls and add plywood or OSB sheathing in the crawlspace. Bolt the sill plate to the foundation where accessible.
- Anchor heavy appliances like ranges, refrigerators, and washers. Use flexible utility connectors.
- Brace or replace brittle chimneys. Consider lighter alternatives or gas inserts where appropriate.
Structural retrofits that need a pro
Some homes need engineered solutions, permits, and inspections. Soft-story conditions, large openings at the garage, or weak lateral systems may require new shear walls, steel frames, or foundation strengthening. Costs vary with house size, soil conditions, and scope, from several thousand dollars to tens of thousands. Hire a licensed structural engineer experienced in seismic retrofit to evaluate your home and create plans for bidding and permitting.
Tsunami planning for coastal homes
If you live in a tsunami zone, evacuation planning comes first. Learn your elevation and routes, keep grab-and-go kits ready, and practice getting to high ground. Secure fuel tanks and exterior items that could float or strike structures. For statewide planning resources, visit the Alaska Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management and follow local municipal guidance on evacuation zones.
Prioritize, hire, and permit with confidence
Start with life-safety fixes: strap the water heater, secure tall furniture, replace rigid gas connectors, and practice utility shutoffs. Next, tackle structural basics like cripple-wall bracing and sill plate bolting. Then consider major retrofits if needed, based on an engineer’s evaluation. Contact your local building department before starting structural work. Permits are typically required for foundation bolting, shear walls, gas work, and larger modifications. Ask contractors about licensing, local references, and whether they will pull permits and coordinate inspections.
Insurance and budget basics
Standard homeowners insurance often excludes earthquake damage. Consider separate earthquake coverage to protect structure, contents, and additional living expenses during repairs. Premiums and terms vary by location and insurer. Review policy language carefully, including how foundations and retrofits are treated. For preparedness and mitigation guidance, explore FEMA’s earthquake resources.
Buyer or seller? Put safety to work
If you are selling, visible safety upgrades can boost confidence. Highlight a strapped water heater, flexible gas connectors, cabinet latches, and any documented bracing or permitted retrofit work in your disclosures and marketing. If you are buying, include earthquake items in your inspection checklist: look for water heater straps, gas connector type, crawlspace bracing, foundation bolting, chimney condition, and large openings that may indicate a soft story. Budget for upgrades if needed.
Alaska-ready emergency kit
- Water for 3 to 7 days, aiming for 1 to 2 gallons per person per day in winter if resupply is hard
- Nonperishable food and a manual can opener
- Warm clothing, wool socks, insulated sleeping bags or blankets
- Waterproof boots, hat, gloves, and hand warmers
- Portable stove and fuel with safe ventilation practices
- Flashlights, headlamps, and extra batteries
- First aid kit and prescription medications
- Battery bank or solar charger, and a NOAA/hand-crank radio
- Snow shovel, traction aids, and sand or salt for walkways
- Copies of insurance papers, emergency contacts, and spare keys
Homeowner checklist
- Strap and secure the water heater and large gas appliances.
- Anchor top-heavy furniture and mount TVs to studs.
- Install cabinet latches and secure fragile items with museum putty.
- Inspect the crawlspace for unbraced short walls and add sheathing and sill bolting where feasible.
- Replace rigid gas connectors with flexible connectors; consider a seismic gas shutoff.
- Learn and practice utility shutoffs, and keep a wrench in an accessible place.
- Prepare an Alaska-winter emergency kit.
- Make a family emergency plan with meeting points and evacuation routes.
- Store copies of important documents in a waterproof container and online.
Trusted resources for Alaska homeowners
- Use the Alaska Earthquake Center for seismic monitoring, local information, and recent earthquakes.
- Check the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program for maps, data, and education, including seismic hazard maps.
- Review FEMA’s earthquake preparedness guides for mitigation and planning.
- Visit the Alaska Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management for state planning, community resources, and hazard information.
- Explore the Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys for landslides, soils, and regional hazards.
- See the American Red Cross earthquake safety guidance for household planning.
Ready to take the next step with a home in Anchorage, Eagle River, or nearby? Whether you are buying, selling, or relocating, our team can help you prioritize smart safety upgrades, connect with local pros, and navigate disclosures that build buyer confidence. Start your search and get tailored guidance today with Unknown Company.
FAQs
Will strapping my water heater reduce fire risk?
- Yes. Straps help prevent tipping and ruptured lines, which are a common ignition source. Pairing straps with flexible gas connectors lowers risk further.
How can I tell if my home needs a structural retrofit?
- Signs include unbolted sill plates, unbraced short walls in the crawlspace, large unsupported garage openings, or cracking at foundation-to-floor connections. A licensed structural engineer can evaluate and confirm.
How much does an earthquake retrofit cost in Alaska?
- Small bracing and bolting jobs can be a few thousand dollars. Major soft-story or foundation work can reach tens of thousands, depending on size, soils, and scope.
Do I need separate earthquake insurance in Alaska?
- Standard homeowners policies often exclude earthquake damage. Consider separate earthquake coverage, especially in higher-risk areas, and review details for structure, contents, and living expenses.
What should coastal homeowners do about tsunami risk?
- Know your evacuation zone and routes, keep grab-and-go kits ready, and practice drills. Structural retrofits do not replace the need to evacuate to higher ground.
