Fairbanks, AK Flood Zone Map
Last updated: August 2026
Fairbanks is vulnerable to flooding from the Chena and Tanana rivers, particularly during spring breakup when ice jams can cause rapid water level rises. The Chena River flood control project has reduced but not eliminated risk.
Fairbanks North Star Borough has recorded 244 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $2.5M 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
722
Fairbanks North Star Borough
Avg. Premium
$322/yr
Fairbanks North Star Borough
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Fairbanks North Star Borough
Properties in Fairbanks North Star Borough have filed 244 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $2.5M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $10K.
Highest-Claim Years
2008
47 claims - $644K
1991
28 claims - $125K
2003
23 claims - $161K
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced August 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Fairbanks North Star Borough
Only roughly 1 in 52 households in Fairbanks North Star Borough carries NFIP flood insurance (2% of estimated households). With elevated flood risk, most flood losses in this county are likely uninsured.
Penetration Rate
2%
roughly 1 in 52 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 3
244 claims over 45+ years across 722 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$10,320
Per claim, county-wide since 1978
Historically, Fairbanks North Star Borough has averaged 1 claim for every 3 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 Fairbanks.
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: Fairbanks North Star Borough
Fairbanks North Star Borough has 12 properties with multiple flood insurance losses, including 2 severe repetitive loss properties. 1 properties have received FEMA mitigation funding. Severe repetitive loss is a subset of multiple loss, not a separate count. Data sourced August 2026.
Multiple Loss
12
2+ claims within 10 years
Severe Repetitive Loss
2
4+ claims or 2 exceeding value
Mitigated
1
Received FEMA mitigation
By Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced August 2026.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Fairbanks North Star Borough
Fairbanks North Star Borough has been included in 1 federal flood-related disaster declaration.
These declarations affected communities across Fairbanks North Star Borough, including Fairbanks.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced August 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Fairbanks North Star Borough
FEMA has funded mitigation for 32 properties in Fairbanks North Star Borough, investing $498K 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.
Levee Protection: Fairbanks
The USACE National Levee Database lists 1 levee system protecting parts of Fairbanks. A system's FEMA accreditation status determines how its protected area is mapped: accredited levees are typically mapped as Zone X, while non-accredited or provisionally accredited systems generally leave their protected area in the Special Flood Hazard Area (often Zone AR or A99) until certification is complete.
Tanana River Levee
AccreditedProtects against: Tanana River - Sponsor: Fairbanks North Star Borough, USACE - Alaska District - 56.32 sq mi protected
Source: USACE National Levee Database. Data sourced August 2026. Learn how levees affect flood zone mapping.
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Fairbanks North Star 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
Relatively LowEst. annual loss: $7.9M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Fairbanks
Fairbanks faces flood risk primarily from river and stream overflow during heavy rainfall, snowmelt, or upstream dam releases. When rivers exceed their banks, floodwaters spread across low-lying areas mapped in AE and A zones. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Fairbanks are Zone AE, Zone A, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $7.9M.
Riverine flood risk in Fairbanks is driven by the proximity and elevation of properties relative to nearby waterways. Properties closer to rivers with lower ground elevations typically face higher flood insurance premiums under FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0. 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.
River flood maps can change when FEMA conducts new Flood Insurance Studies or when development alters drainage patterns. Letters of Map Amendment (LOMA) can remove individual properties if the natural ground elevation was always above the Base Flood Elevation and the property was inadvertently mapped in the SFHA. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Fairbanks address.
Fairbanks, AK Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Fairbanks, AK?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Fairbanks are Zone AE, Zone A, 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 Fairbanks?
If your Fairbanks 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 Fairbanks?
Enter your Fairbanks 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.
What type of flooding affects Fairbanks?
Fairbanks is primarily affected by river and stream overflow during heavy rainfall. The most common FEMA flood zone designations are Zone AE, Zone A, Zone X. Use the free lookup tool above to check the specific flood zone for any Fairbanks address.
Has Fairbanks experienced major flooding events?
Fairbanks North Star Borough, where Fairbanks is located, has been part of 1 federal disaster declaration for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Flooding in 2002. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Fairbanks?
Fairbanks North Star Borough has recorded 244 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $2.5M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2008, with 47 claims and $644K in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Fairbanks.
How many flood insurance policies are there in Fairbanks?
Fairbanks North Star Borough had 722 NFIP flood insurance policies written or renewed over the trailing 13 months, with an average annual premium of $322. The most policies are in Zone AE (400 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 Fairbanks properties have flooded repeatedly?
Fairbanks North Star Borough has 12 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 2 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.
Is Fairbanks protected by a levee?
Yes. The USACE National Levee Database lists 1 levee system protecting parts of Fairbanks (Tanana River Levee). All of these are FEMA-accredited, meaning the area they protect is generally mapped as Zone X rather than a high-risk zone. Levee protection is system-specific, not city-wide - check the address search above for the zone at a specific property.
Can my Fairbanks 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 Fairbanks?
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 Fairbanks'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 Fairbanks, AK Address
Enter a Fairbanks, 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.