Anchorage, AK Flood Zone Map
Last updated: August 2026
Anchorage faces flood risks from Ship Creek, Campbell Creek, and coastal storm surges along Cook Inlet. Snowmelt in spring and glacial runoff contribute to seasonal flooding in low-lying areas.
Anchorage Borough has recorded 80 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $269K in payouts. Explore the full NFIP claims data by state and county to see how this area compares nationally.
FEMA Region
Region 10
NFIP Policies
399
Anchorage Borough
Avg. Premium
$234/yr
Anchorage Borough
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Anchorage Borough
Properties in Anchorage Borough have filed 80 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $269K in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $3K.
Highest-Claim Years
2012
10 claims - $139K
2013
8 claims - $27K
1989
7 claims - $8K
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced August 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Anchorage Borough
Only roughly 1 in 288 households in Anchorage Borough carries NFIP flood insurance (0.3% of estimated households). With 1 recorded flood events and $250K in damage, most flood losses in this county are likely uninsured.
Penetration Rate
0.3%
roughly 1 in 288 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 5
80 claims over 45+ years across 399 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$3,363
Per claim, county-wide since 1978
Historically, Anchorage Borough has averaged 1 claim for every 5 active policies (since 1978). This compares cumulative claims against today's policy count and does not predict future claim likelihood.
Coverage data: NFIP policies as of August 2026, claims since 1978 (August 2026), population from FEMA NRI. All figures are county-wide and include Anchorage.
Not sure whether you're required to carry it? See do I need flood insurance?, or compare NFIP vs. private flood insurance.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Anchorage Borough
Anchorage Borough has 2 properties with multiple flood insurance losses, including 0 severe repetitive loss properties. Severe repetitive loss is a subset of multiple loss, not a separate count. Data sourced August 2026.
Multiple Loss
2
2+ claims within 10 years
Severe Repetitive Loss
0
4+ claims or 2 exceeding value
Mitigated
0
Received FEMA mitigation
By Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced August 2026.
Flood Insurance Discount: Anchorage
Anchorage participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS), a voluntary program that rewards communities for flood mitigation efforts beyond minimum NFIP requirements. Residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area may qualify for reduced flood insurance premiums.
CRS Class
Class 7
SFHA Premium Discount
15% off
CRS classes range from 1 (best) to 10 (no discount). Anchorage's Class 7 rating means NFIP policyholders in the SFHA can receive up to a 15% discount on their flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Source: FEMA Community Rating System, April 2026. Discounts apply to NFIP policies only.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Anchorage Borough
Anchorage Borough has been included in 1 federal flood-related disaster declaration.
These declarations affected communities across Anchorage Borough, including Anchorage.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced August 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: Glacier Bay Borough
NOAA has recorded 1 flood events in Glacier Bay Borough since 1996, causing $250K in damage.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced August 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Anchorage Borough
FEMA has funded mitigation for 188 properties in Anchorage Borough, investing $4.6M in flood risk reduction. Common mitigation actions include acquisition (buying and demolishing flood-prone structures), elevation (raising buildings above flood level), and safe rooms (wind/storm shelters for tornado and hurricane protection).
By Action Type
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced August 2026. FEMA records a total payment per grant rather than per property, so the dollar figure is an estimate that splits each grant across the properties it covers; the property count is exact.
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Anchorage Borough
Based on FEMA's National Risk Index, which evaluates flood risk at the county level using historical loss data, exposure, and vulnerability.
Inland Flood Risk
Very LowEst. annual loss: $397
Coastal Flood Risk
Very LowEst. annual loss: $4K
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Anchorage
Anchorage faces a combination of coastal and inland flood risks. Storm surge from hurricanes and tropical storms pushes seawater inland, while heavy rainfall simultaneously overwhelms rivers, bayous, and drainage infrastructure. This dual threat means flooding can come from multiple directions at once. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Anchorage are Zone AE, Zone X.
Combined coastal and inland flood exposure in Anchorage means properties may face higher premiums than areas with only one flood source. FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0 accounts for multiple flood sources, including coastal surge distance, river proximity, and rainfall-driven flooding. If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance.
Flood maps in areas with combined coastal and inland risk are among the most complex in the FEMA system. Major storms often trigger FEMA restudies that can significantly shift zone boundaries. Letters of Map Revision (LOMR) after hurricanes may expand SFHA coverage as new storm data is incorporated. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Anchorage address.
Anchorage, AK Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Anchorage, AK?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Anchorage are Zone AE, Zone X. Properties in these high-risk zones (SFHA) may require flood insurance with a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage.
Is flood insurance required in Anchorage?
If your Anchorage property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not federally required to carry flood insurance, though coverage is still recommended since about a quarter of all NFIP flood claims come from properties outside high-risk zones.
How do I check my flood zone in Anchorage?
Enter your Anchorage address in the search tool above for an instant flood zone determination. Results include your FEMA flood zone, SFHA status, base flood elevation (if available), and FIRM panel information, pulled directly from FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer.
Does Anchorage offer flood insurance discounts?
Yes. Anchorage participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) with a Class 7 rating, qualifying residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area for up to a 15% discount on NFIP flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Has Anchorage experienced major flooding events?
Anchorage Borough, where Anchorage is located, has been part of 1 federal disaster declaration for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Flooding in 1995. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Anchorage?
Anchorage Borough has recorded 80 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $269K in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2012, with 10 claims and $139K in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Anchorage.
How many flood insurance policies are there in Anchorage?
Anchorage Borough had 399 NFIP flood insurance policies written or renewed over the trailing 13 months, with an average annual premium of $234. The most policies are in Zone X (175 policies). These are county-level counts of policies written or renewed in the trailing 13 months, not a point-in-time count of policies in force - a policy renewed inside that window is counted twice.
How many Anchorage properties have flooded repeatedly?
Anchorage Borough has 2 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 0 severe repetitive loss properties. These are properties that have experienced four or more NFIP claims of $5,000+ or two claims exceeding the building value.
Can my Anchorage property be removed from a high-risk flood zone?
Yes, if your property's natural ground elevation is above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in a high-risk zone, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). A successful LOMA removes the property from the Special Flood Hazard Area, generally eliminating the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement. You will need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor. If a property was raised above the BFE with fill material, the process is a LOMR-F rather than a LOMA.
What is Base Flood Elevation in Anchorage?
Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the predicted height of floodwaters during a 1% annual chance (100-year) flood, shown on FEMA maps as an elevation number in feet above sea level. In Anchorage's Zone AE areas, BFE lines appear on the FIRM as wavy contours labeled with elevation values. Properties with a lowest floor at or above the BFE typically qualify for significantly lower NFIP flood insurance premiums.
Understanding Flood Zones
See the Flood Map for Any Anchorage, AK Address
Enter a Anchorage, AK address to view its FEMA flood map, zone designation, SFHA status, and insurance requirements.
Disclaimer: Flood risk data on this page is sourced from FEMA datasets including the National Risk Index, NFIP claims and policy records, disaster declarations, and the Community Rating System. These datasets were last extracted on August 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.