Ketchikan, AK Flood Zone Lookup
Last updated: March 2026
Ketchikan receives some of the highest rainfall in the United States, leading to frequent flash flooding and landslide risks. Coastal flooding from storm surges also threatens waterfront properties.
Ketchikan Gateway Borough has recorded 11 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $129K 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
119
Ketchikan Gateway Borough
Avg. Premium
$1,138/yr
Ketchikan Gateway Borough
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Ketchikan Gateway 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: $722K
Coastal Flood Risk
Very LowEst. annual loss: $3K
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Ketchikan Gateway Borough
Properties in Ketchikan Gateway Borough have filed 11 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $129K in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $12K.
Highest-Claim Years
2015
4 claims - $99K
2001
2 claims - $0
2025
2 claims - $0
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Ketchikan Gateway Borough
Only roughly 1 in 46 households in Ketchikan Gateway 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 46 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 11
11 claims over 45+ years across 119 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$11,727
Per claim, county-wide since 1978
Historically, Ketchikan Gateway Borough has averaged 1 claim for every 11 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 March 2026, claims since 1978 (March 2026), population from FEMA NRI. All figures are county-wide and include Ketchikan.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Ketchikan
Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone X. Properties in Ketchikan's VE zones face additional wave action risk beyond still-water flooding, which typically results in higher insurance premiums and stricter building requirements.
Combined coastal and inland flood exposure in Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan address.
Ketchikan, AK Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Ketchikan, AK?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Ketchikan are Zone AE, Zone VE, 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 Ketchikan?
If your Ketchikan 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 over 40% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.
How do I check my flood zone in Ketchikan?
Enter your Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan?
Ketchikan is primarily affected by both coastal storm surge and inland flooding. The most common FEMA flood zone designations are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone X. Use the free lookup tool above to check the specific flood zone for any Ketchikan address.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Ketchikan?
Ketchikan Gateway Borough has recorded 11 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $129K in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2015, with 4 claims and $99K in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Ketchikan.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Ketchikan?
Ketchikan Gateway Borough currently has 119 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $1,138. The most policies are in Zone AE (79 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
Can my Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan?
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 Ketchikan's Zone AE and Zone VE 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
Look Up Any Ketchikan, AK Address
Enter a Ketchikan, AK address to instantly check its FEMA flood 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 March 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. This page is for informational purposes only and is not a certified flood zone determination. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.