Anchorage, Alaska Flood Zones
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.
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Anchorage County
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.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Anchorage (Borough) County
Anchorage (Borough) County has been included in 1 federal flood-related disaster declaration.
These declarations affected communities across Anchorage (Borough) County, including Anchorage.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Anchorage County
Properties in Anchorage County have filed 79 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $268K 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
Zone X
39
Zone A
20
Zone AE
14
Zone D
4
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced February 2026.
Common Flood Zones in Anchorage
Properties in Anchorage, AK are commonly designated in these FEMA flood zones:
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.
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, October 2025. Discounts apply to NFIP policies only.
Check Your Anchorage Address
Enter any Anchorage, AK address to instantly see its FEMA flood zone, risk level, and whether flood insurance is required.
Free Flood Zone LookupAnchorage, 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 25% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.
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) County, 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 County has recorded 79 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $268K 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.
Sources
This page summarizes information from FEMA and other official resources in plain language. For full technical details, see the links below.
- FEMA National Flood Hazard LayerDirect Source
The NFHL is the source of all flood zone data shown on this page.
- FEMA Map Service Center — Search by AddressDirect Source
Look up any address to view FIRM panels, FIS reports, and LOMCs.
- NFHL Data and Map StatusTopic Page
View NFHL coverage and data freshness by state and community.
- FEMA National Risk Index — Data ResourcesDirect Source
County-level risk scores for inland flooding, coastal flooding, and hurricane used in the Flood Risk Profile.
- OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API v2Direct Source
Federal disaster declarations filtered for flood-related incident types (Flood, Hurricane, Severe Storm, Coastal Storm).
- OpenFEMA FIMA NFIP Claims API v2Direct Source
Historical NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, aggregated by county and state. Includes claim counts, payouts, and flood zone breakdowns.
Sources last verified: February 2026