Nome, Alaska Flood Zones
Last updated: March 2026
Nome faces coastal flooding from Bering Sea storm surges, particularly during fall storms when diminished sea ice allows powerful waves to reach the shoreline. The Nome River and Snake River also contribute to flooding during spring breakup and heavy rainfall.
Nome Borough has recorded 25 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $1.5M 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
47
Nome Borough
Avg. Premium
$1,782/yr
Nome Borough
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Nome 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: $470K
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Bering Strait Regional Educational Attendance Area Borough
Bering Strait Regional Educational Attendance Area Borough has been included in 2 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
These declarations affected communities across Bering Strait Regional Educational Attendance Area Borough, including Nome.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Nome Borough
Properties in Nome Borough have filed 25 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $1.5M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $61K.
Highest-Claim Years
2004
10 claims - $456K
2022
10 claims - $896K
1992
3 claims - $28K
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Nome Borough
An estimated 1% of households in Nome Borough carry NFIP flood insurance.
Penetration Rate
1%
Claims Ratio
1 in 2
policies have filed a claim
Avg. Claim Payout
$60,840
Derived from FEMA NRI population data and OpenFEMA NFIP policy/claims records.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Nome Borough
Nome Borough has 1 properties with multiple flood losses, including 0 severe repetitive loss properties.
Multiple Loss
1
Severe Rep. Loss
0
Mitigated
0
By Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Nome
Nome 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 Nome are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone X. Properties in Nome'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 Nome 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 Nome address.
Flood Insurance Discount: Nome
Nome 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 8
SFHA Premium Discount
10% off
CRS classes range from 1 (best) to 10 (no discount). Nome's Class 8 rating means NFIP policyholders in the SFHA can receive up to a 10% 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.
Nome, AK Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Nome, AK?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Nome 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 Nome?
If your Nome 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 Nome?
Enter your Nome 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 Nome offer flood insurance discounts?
Yes. Nome participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) with a Class 8 rating, qualifying residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area for up to a 10% discount on NFIP flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Has Nome experienced major flooding events?
Bering Strait Regional Educational Attendance Area Borough, where Nome is located, has been part of 2 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Severe Storms, Flooding, and Remnants of Typhoon Halong in 2025. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Nome?
Nome Borough has recorded 25 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $1.5M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2004, with 10 claims and $456K in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Nome.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Nome?
Nome Borough currently has 47 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $1,782. The most policies are in Zone AE (18 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many Nome properties have flooded repeatedly?
Nome Borough has 1 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 Nome 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 Nome?
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 Nome'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 Nome, AK Address
Enter a Nome, 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.