Laramie, WY Flood Zone Lookup
Last updated: March 2026
Laramie faces flooding from the Laramie River and Spring Creek. The city's location in a high-elevation valley makes it vulnerable to rapid snowmelt and intense thunderstorm rainfall.
Albany County has recorded 16 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $122K in payouts. Explore the full NFIP claims data by state and county to see how this area compares nationally.
FEMA Region
Region 8
NFIP Policies
81
Albany County
Avg. Premium
$708/yr
Albany County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Albany 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
Relatively LowEst. annual loss: $6.5M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Albany County
Albany County has been included in 1 federal flood-related disaster declaration.
These declarations affected communities across Albany County, including Laramie.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Albany County
Properties in Albany County have filed 16 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $122K in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $8K.
Highest-Claim Years
2010
3 claims - $2K
2008
2 claims - $0
2023
2 claims - $0
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Albany County
Only roughly 1 in 181 households in Albany County carries NFIP flood insurance (0.6% of estimated households). With 23 recorded flood events and $91K in damage, most flood losses in this county are likely uninsured.
Penetration Rate
0.6%
roughly 1 in 181 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 5
16 claims over 45+ years across 81 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$7,625
Per claim, county-wide since 1978
Historically, Albany County 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 March 2026, claims since 1978 (March 2026), population from FEMA NRI. All figures are county-wide and include Laramie.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Laramie
Laramie 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 Laramie are Zone AE, Zone A, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $6.5M.
Riverine flood risk in Laramie 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 Laramie address.
Recorded Flood Events: Albany County
NOAA has recorded 23 flood events in Albany County since 1996, causing $91K in damage.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Albany County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 1 properties in Albany County, investing $0 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 March 2026.
Laramie, WY Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Laramie, WY?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Laramie 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 Laramie?
If your Laramie 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 Laramie?
Enter your Laramie 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 Laramie?
Laramie 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 Laramie address.
Has Laramie experienced major flooding events?
Albany County, where Laramie is located, has been part of 1 federal disaster declaration for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Severe Storms and Flooding in 2015. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Laramie?
Albany County has recorded 16 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $122K in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2010, with 3 claims and $2K in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Laramie.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Laramie?
Albany County currently has 81 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $708. The most policies are in Zone A (40 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
Can my Laramie 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 Laramie?
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 Laramie'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
Look Up Any Laramie, WY Address
Enter a Laramie, WY 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.