Community Resilience is the ability to prepare for anticipated hazards, adapt to changing conditions, and withstand and recover from disruptions.  Activities, such as disaster preparedness - which includes prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery - are key steps to resilience.

The State of Alaska manages a multi-faceted program, assisting communities and stakeholders on issues related to safety, health, and the interdeendencies of physical infrastructure systems.  The Community Resilience program is part of a broader disaster resilience effort and complements work by others in the public and private sectors.  These programs work together to focus on research, community planning, response guidance, and stakeholder engagement.

The nine core elements of community resilience include:

Local knowledge

Community networks and relationships

Communication

Health

Governance and leadership

Resources

Economic investment

Preparedness, and

Mental outlook

• Ensure appropriate plans: Small Community Emergency Response Plan (SCERP), Continuity of Operations (COOP), and Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) exist and are current.
• Train and exercise your plans to expose gaps or weaknesses in the plan.
• Conduct Risk Assessment
  • Identify Hazards - which hazards might impact your community?
  • Profile hazards events - how bad can it get?
    • Frequency - likelihood
    • Magnitude - strength
    • Extent - location
  • Inventory assets - which community assets will be affected by the hazards?
  • Estimate losses - what are the costs associated with the impacts?
• Identify realistic Mitigation projects to eliminate or reduce the effects of a disaster.
• Add redundancies to critical systems (Water, Sewer, Power, and Fuel delivery) to improve availability to restore capacity.
• Create shared common objectives that have all communal elements (City, Tribe, Corporation) working towards similar goals, which enhances coordination and communication, leading to increased project completion.

• NOAA, U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit: Tools are available to help you manage your climate-related risks and opportunities, and to help guide you in building resilience to extreme events.
• Denali Commission: Established with a specific focus on promoting rural development, and providing power generation, transition facilities, modern communication systems, water and sewer systems, and other infrastructure needs in rural Alaska.
• Alaska Division of Community and Regional Affairs (DCRA), Community Resilience & Climate Adaptation Programs: DCRA's Community Resilience and Climate Adaptation Programs provide Alaskan communities with technical assistance, tools, training, and funding to become healthier, stronger, and more resilient to natural hazards and to adapt to the impacts of climate change.
• Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHS&EM), Grants Section: you will find the list of grants that DHS&EM administers.
• Grants.gov: Provides a common website for federal agencies to post discretionary funding opportunities and for grantees to find and apply to them. Grants.gov allows organizations to electronically find and apply for competitive grant opportunities from all Federal grant-making agencies. Grants.gov is THE single access point for over 900 grant programs offered by the 26 Federal grant-making agencies.
• General Services Administration (GSA): The GSA manages the federal acquisition and awards processes in 10 online websites which are now being merged into one. This site will become the official U.S. government website for people who make, receive, and manage federal awards.
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Resilience: FEMA Resilience aims to build a culture of preparedness through insurance, mitigation, preparedness, continuity, and grant programs. The organization includes the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration, Grant Programs Directorate, National Continuity Programs, and National Preparedness Directorate.

Following the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, the ITIC compiled essential tsunami awareness materials to support government agencies, emergency managers, and educators. This DVD contains basic resources originally developed for the Pacific Tsunami Warning & Mitigation System (PTWS) in the 1990s-2000s, updated after 2004 to address tsunamis as a global hazard.

Materials like "Tsunami, the Great Waves," "Tsunami Warning!," and awareness posters are provided in customizable formats to meet local needs, cultures, and languages. The Tsunami Glossary 2008 is available upon request. You may freely use and modify these materials while retaining ITIC logos and credits, and adding your agency information. Please share your modified versions with us.

Files are available in PDF (low/high resolution), Word (.doc) for translation, and Adobe Illustrator (.ai) for design modifications. ITIC can assist with finalizing materials in the original layout design. Our goal is to provide all basic materials in English, French, and Spanish, with select resources in other languages contributed by Member States.

All materials are available by DVD upon request or downloadable from the ITIC website. Contact us at itic.tsunami@noaa.gov for additional requests or to contribute to our collection.

ITIC Tsunami Awareness and Education Materials

• Pacific Disaster Center - The PDC provides easy access to hazard and risk information and analytical products for executive decision-makers, disaster managers, and community planners 
• National Tsunami Warning Center
• University of Alaska Fairbanks - Alaska Earthquake Center Hazard Maps
• Mitigation Page - see DHS&EM's complete list of mitigation links here 

If you have questions contact:  

DISTANT SOURCE TSUNAMI HAZARD means the tsunami is generated so far away that the earthquake was not felt at all or only slightly. An estimate can be made of potential danger. Maximum runup heights would only be reached at the shoreline and the maximum distance inland only reached where the coast is low, flat, and unobstructed. "High" means possible runup to 50 foot elevation and reaching up to 1 mile inland. "Moderate" means possible runup to 35 foot elevation and inland up to 3/4 mile. "Low" means possible runup to 20 foot elevation and reaching up to 1/2 mile inland.

All listed communities may have a LOCAL TSUNAMI HAZARD which means a tsunami could be generated in nearby waters and reach your community before a formal warning could be transmitted. These waves may arrive in less than one hour and have historically been the highest, up to 100 foot or more. The estimated possible height in each community is difficult to determine. Coastal residents who feel a very strong earthquake (lasting over 30 seconds or if you have difficulty standing) should move to higher ground immediately.

Historic tsunami information and ongoing numeric studies indicate that tsunami flood threat along the western Alaska coast (Bering Sea) is very low, though there is a higher threat in some instances along the Pribilof Island coasts.  We have run a preliminary tsunami propagation model. Two hypothetical tsunami sources (earthquakes of Mw 9.0) were placed in the eastern and western parts of the Aleutian chain. The tsunami waves propagated through the Northern Pacific and into the Bering Sea. The continental shelf in the Bering Sea substantially dissipates tsunami energy and slows down the waves. As a result, tsunami waves arrive at Hawaii before they reach the Bering Sea coastline, which gives sufficient warning time to those communities. Higher amplitudes were calculated for St. George and St. Paul islands due to their proximity to the continental slope. The Bristol Bay area has only an estimated >1 meter wave height potential.

The Alaska Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management's Earthquake and Tsunami Program continuously researches, learns, and develops new approaches to improve safety for Alaska's residents and visitors before disasters strike. Through comprehensive planning, building code implementation, transportation systems, communications networks, and public education initiatives, our staff collaborates with partners to prepare Alaska and reduce potential losses of life, environmental damage, and property destruction. If you live in an earthquake-prone area, preparation is essential, as these events can strike suddenly at any time and in any location.

University of Alaska Fairbanks - Alaska Earthquake Center

Department of Natural Resources GEOLOGICAL & GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS

Alaska and California are generally the most seismically active regions in North America*. Do you know your risk for earthquake? All Alaskans live with earthquake hazards. The Alaska Earthquake Center detects an earthquake every fifteen minutes, on average. In 2014, they reported an all-time high of over 40,000 earthquakes in Alaska.

Knowing if you live, work, shop, vacation or drop your children off in an area that could be impacted by an earthquake fault is the first step you can take to reducing your risk of injury and decreasing property damage from an earthquake.

Once you determine your risk, you can begin to prepare your family, employees, students and others to lessen the impacts of an earthquake.

*In 2014, Oklahoma saw a 500% increase in seismic activity (quakes of magnitude 3 or greater), thereby surpassing California for the first time in recorded history.

Preparedness refers to activities we do prior to an earthquake to be ready to respond to and recover from significant ground shaking. When it comes to earthquakes, there are simple things you can do to improve your chances of survival and recovery. Anything you do today will be like making a deposit in your survivability savings account for withdrawal in tough times.

At a minimum, you should be prepared to be isolated and on your own for at least seven days and nights. There will likely be the loss of utilities after a disaster. It is possible the power will be out, water may be scarce, gas lines may break, phones and cell towers could become inoperable, roads might be impassible, etc. Your only source of news may well be the car radio, assuming your local radio station has a working generator. There might not be medical assistance for days.

To begin preparing your home and family:

• Identify potential hazards in your home and begin to fix them.
• Create a disaster-preparedness plan.
• Create disaster kits.
• Identify your building's potential weaknesses and begin to fix them.
• Protect yourself during earthquake shaking.
• After the quake, check for injuries and damage.
• When safe, continue to follow your disaster-preparedness plan.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, American Time Use Survey, in 2013 the average work day for full time employed Americans (age 25-54 with children) was 8.7 hours. An earthquake could occur anytime in that 8.7 hours. Are you prepared? Preparing your workplace is just as important as preparing your home. There are many ways to improve your safety in the event of an earthquake. Here are just a few suggestions:

• Determine if your workplace is in an area at risk for earthquake.
• Be familiar with your company’s emergency plan.
• Know evacuation routes and locations deemed safe.
• Keep a pack of personal supplies (including walking shoes) that can be grabbed quickly and easily.
• Keep a list of emergency numbers handy

While earthquakes have occurred throughout history, our knowledge and understanding of preparing for them is much more recent. Through planning and education, we are now in a position to ensure the current and upcoming generations make earthquake preparedness a regular part of their routine. As actions from learning to drop, cover and hold on, to securing furniture in their homes becomes the norm, students can take this information and teach their families and friends how to be prepared.

As we learn more, our partners are applying that knowledge to assist teachers, parents and schools in the education of students of all ages and abilities by providing lesson plans, curriculum, activities, games, materials, publications and a multitude of other resources.

The Earthquake and Tsunami Program is responsible for supporting all Alaska governmental agencies and tribes to ensure the protection and safety of the populace in the event of an earthquake. To this end, the Program staff is available to provide guidance and assistance to our partners in the preparation of plans to mitigate and plan for, respond to and recover from earthquakes impacting our State. In addition, many resources and guidance materials are available for review to walk developers through the planning process.

During the preparedness phase of emergency management, and as part of a comprehensive preparedness program, the emergency management community should develop plans and procedures to be implemented during an earthquake. Plans will need to be flexible and all-encompassing enough to recognize not only earthquakes, but all potential risks and exposures for the community, business, government agency, school, or hospital. Planning activities will vary by jurisdiction but should include the following: Communication, Shelters, Evacuation Plans, Resources and Inventory, Emergency Workers, Volunteers, Training, Access and Functional Needs population, Non-Government Organizations, Multi-Agency Coordination.

Since earthquakes often strike without warning, it is important to be prepared. Developing an earthquake preparedness plan is one of the most strategic decisions you can make if you are responsible for a business or organization. A workplace should follow accepted earthquake safety guidelines, but have in place a personalized, well-rehearsed plan to help safeguard your organization during an earthquake. Developing, and putting into place, a Disaster Plan will not only protect employees, but will help minimize the financial impact of an earthquake, and help you recover more quickly. To prepare for an earthquake, all businesses should:

• Eliminate potential hazards
• Make a business emergency plan
• Train your employees
• Exercise your emergency plan
• Have medical supplies on hand
• Keep disaster provisions on site

Many organizations play a role in assisting business owners with their disaster planning.

Alaska contains over 130 volcanoes and volcanic fields which have been active within the last two million years. The volcanoes in Alaska make up well over three-quarters of U.S. volcanoes that have erupted in the last two hundred years. Of these volcanoes, about 90 have been active within the last 10,000 years (and might be expected to erupt again), and more than 50 have been active within historical time (since about 1760, for Alaska).

Alaska's volcanoes are potentially hazardous to passenger and freight aircraft as jet engines sometimes fail after ingesting volcanic ash. It is estimated, based on information provided by the Federal Aviation Administration, that more than 80,000 large aircraft per year, and 30,000 people per day, are in the skies over and potentially downwind of Aleutian volcanoes, mostly on the heavily traveled great-circle routes between Europe, North America, and Asia. Volcanic eruptions from Cook Inlet volcanoes (Spurr, Redoubt, Iliamna, and Augustine) can have severe impacts, as these volcanoes are nearest to Anchorage, Alaska's largest population center.

• Alaska Inter-agency Operating Plan for Volcanic Ash Episodes

Before a Volcanic Eruption

The following are things you can do to protect yourself, your family and your property in the event of a volcanic eruption.

• Build an Emergency Supply Kit, which includes items like non-perishable food, water, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, extra flashlights and batteries. You may want to prepare a portable kit and keep it in your car in case you are told to evacuate. This kit should also include a pair of goggles and disposable breathing masks for each member of the family.
• Make a Family Emergency Plan. Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to know how you will contact one another, how you will get back together and what you will do in case of an emergency.

During a Volcanic Eruption

• Follow the evacuation order issued by authorities and evacuate immediately from the volcano area to avoid flying debris, hot gases, lateral blast and lava flow.
• Be aware of mudflows. The danger from a mudflow increases near stream channels and with prolonged heavy rains. Mudflows can move faster than you can walk or run. Look upstream before crossing a bridge and do not cross the bridge if a mudflow is approaching.
• Avoid river valleys and low-lying areas.
• Remember to help your neighbors who may require special assistance - infants, elderly people and people with access and functional needs

Protection from Falling Ash

• If you are unable to evacuate, and in order to protect yourself from falling ash, you should remain indoors with doors, windows and ventilation closed until the ash settles.
• If you have a respiratory ailment, avoid contact with any amount of ash. Stay indoors until local health officials advise it is safe to go outside.
• Listen to a battery-powered radio or television for the latest emergency information.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
• Use goggles and wear eyeglasses instead of contact lenses.
• Use a dust mask or hold a damp cloth over your face to help with breathing.
• Stay away from areas downwind from the volcano to avoid volcanic ash.
• Stay indoors until the ash has settled unless there is a danger of the roof collapsing.
• Close doors, windows, and all ventilation in the house (chimney vents, furnaces, air conditioners, fans and other vents.
• Clear heavy ash from flat or low-pitched roofs and rain gutters.
• Avoid running car or truck engines. Driving can stir up volcanic ash that can clog engines, damage moving parts, and stall vehicles.
• Avoid driving in heavy ash fall unless absolutely required. If you have to drive, keep speed down to 35 MPH or slower.
After a Volcanic Eruption
• Go to a designated public shelter if you have been told to evacuate or you feel it is unsafe to remain in your home.
• Local authorities may not immediately be able to provide information on what is happening and what you should do. However, you should listen to NOAA Weather Radio, watch TV, listen to the radio or check the Internet often for official news and instructions as they become available.

• Pacific Disaster Center - The PDC provides easy access to hazard and risk information and analytical products for executive decision-makers, disaster managers, and community planners.
• Alaska Volcano Observatory 
• Volcanic Ash - Ash effects and preparedness.
• USGS Geological Information - Information on volcanoes and earthquakes.

If you have questions e-mail: 

The Community Resilience section conducts Tsunami Operations Workshops and Rural Resilience Workshops each year.

Rural Resiliency Workshops (RRWs)

Rural Resiliency Workshops (RRWs) are community-based gatherings focused on strengthening emergency preparedness and long-term resilience across Alaska’s rural communities. These workshops bring together Tribal leaders, local governments, emergency responders, and regional partners to have practical, grounded conversations about risk, readiness, and coordination.

At their core, RRWs are about listening first. Each workshop is shaped by the people in the room—drawing on local knowledge, lived experience, and an understanding of the unique challenges that come with living and working in rural Alaska.

Why This Work Matters

Rural communities across Alaska face a distinct set of challenges, including geographic isolation, limited infrastructure, and increasing impacts from natural hazards and climate change. At the same time, these communities have strong networks, deep local knowledge, and a long history of resilience.

RRWs are designed to support that strength by creating space for communities and partners to come together before disasters occur. The goal is not to bring in outside solutions, but to work alongside communities to identify what is already working, where gaps exist, and how coordination can be improved.

A Community-Based Approach

A key part of the RRW approach is going to the communities themselves. Holding workshops locally—rather than in centralized locations like Anchorage—removes barriers to participation and keeps discussions grounded in real conditions.

Being in the community allows participants to speak directly to local infrastructure, geography, seasonal challenges, and available resources. It also ensures that more community members are able to take part in the conversation, rather than limiting participation to those who can travel.

Workshops are intentionally kept small. This creates an environment where people feel comfortable sharing their experiences, asking questions, and contributing openly. The result is more meaningful dialogue, stronger relationships, and outcomes that reflect the voices of the community.

Community-Driven Training and Support

A core principle of the Rural Resiliency Workshops is that the content is guided by the communities themselves. Rather than delivering a fixed set of topics, DHSEM works with communities in advance to understand their priorities, concerns, and interests.

A subject or theme is selected through direct communication with local leaders, ensuring each workshop reflects what communities want to focus on—not what is assumed they need. This keeps the workshops relevant, practical, and responsive to local conditions.

Strengthening SCERPs Through the Workshop Process

A key focus of the Rural Resiliency Workshops is supporting the development and refinement of local Statewide Communication Emergency Response Plans (SCERPs).

In advance of each workshop, DHSEM works directly with participating communities to begin reviewing and updating their local SCERP plans. This early coordination helps identify gaps, clarify roles and responsibilities, and ensure plans reflect current conditions.

During the workshop, dedicated time is set aside for communities to work one-on-one with the SCERP Coordinator. These sessions allow for detailed review, updates, and practical improvements that strengthen communication and coordination during an emergency.

By integrating SCERP support into the workshop process, communities leave with more complete, actionable plans they can use immediately.

Locally Relevant Topics and Real-World Events

Each Rural Resiliency Workshop is built around a theme or focus area identified in coordination with local leadership. Workshops are often informed by recent events or emerging risks facing the region.

In the Kusilvak Census Area in Spring 2025, and in coastal communities of the Bethel Census Area in Fall 2025, workshops focused on impacts and lessons learned from Tropical Storm Merbok. In Spring 2026, riverine communities in the Bethel region prioritized planning for spring flooding and breakup conditions.

In the Nome Census Area, workshops in development for Fall 2026 are focused on coastal storm planning, including events such as Merbok and Typhoon Halong, and the broader need for community-based preparedness.

By centering workshops on real-world events and locally identified concerns, discussions remain timely and directly applicable to the communities involved.

How Workshops Are Developed

Each RRW is built in coordination with regional organizations and local leadership to ensure it reflects community priorities. Planning begins with outreach to communities and partners, allowing the workshop to be shaped by local input from the start.

During the workshop, participants engage in facilitated discussions and scenario-based planning focused on real challenges. These conversations help identify risks, highlight strengths, and support practical next steps for improving preparedness and coordination.

There is no one-size-fits-all model. Each workshop is adapted to the region, the community, and the priorities identified during planning.

Cultural Relevance

Respect for Alaska Native cultures and knowledge systems is central to the RRW process. Local voices guide the conversation, and traditional knowledge is recognized as an essential part of understanding risk and building resilience.

By grounding discussions in cultural context and community values, the workshops support solutions that are not only effective, but also appropriate and sustainable over time.

Partnerships That Make It Work

RRWs are supported through coordination with regional organizations and local leadership who know their communities and bring valuable perspective to the planning process. DHSEM reaches out to partners such as the Association of Village Council Presidents (AVCP), Kawerak, the Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC), and the Iñupiat Community of the Arctic Slope (ICAS), as well as other regional and Tribal organizations, to help shape each workshop.

This coordination helps ensure that workshops reflect local priorities, respect regional differences, and are relevant to the communities involved.

Workshop Materials and Next Steps

Materials from each workshop, including agendas and After Action Reports (AARs), will be posted here as they become available. These resources capture key discussions, highlight lessons learned, and support continued coordination and planning beyond the workshop.

Get Involved

Communities and partners interested in participating in future Rural Resiliency Workshops are encouraged to connect with DHSEM for more information.

This content is under development.