Enter any address in Bethel Census Area, Alaska to see its FEMA flood zone
Coastal flooding driven by storm surge and high tides is the dominant flood character for Bethel Census Area County. Recent events include coastal flooding impacting communities along the Kuskokwim Delta coast in December 2024, and similar inundation in Kwigillingok in January 2025 due to southerly winds, high tides, and reduced sea ice.
National Flood Insurance Program data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $6,984 and water depths averaging 1.5 feet. However, properties in Zone UNKNOWN have seen significantly deeper water, averaging 10.4 feet, though with fewer claims. Residents with properties in low-lying coastal areas, along rivers, or in areas designated as Zone A or UNKNOWN should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
17 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Bethel Census Area, Alaska has recorded 45 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database. The county has received 45 federal disaster declarations, 21 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1989–2025)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Remnants Of Typhoon Halong | Flood | Oct 8, 2025 |
| Flooding | Flood | May 12, 2023 |
| Severe Storm, Flooding, And Landslides | Severe Storm | Sep 15, 2022 |
| Flooding | Flood | May 8, 2022 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Nov 5, 2013 |
| Flooding | Flood | May 17, 2013 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Nov 8, 2011 |
| Ice Jam And Flooding | Flood | May 8, 2011 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal Flood | Jan 12, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Jan 9, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Dec 18, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Aug 15, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Nov 14, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Storm Surge/Tide | Jul 23, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Sep 15, 2022 | — |
| Storm Surge/Tide | Dec 3, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Oct 2, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Nov 1, 2022 | 0.00K |
Coastal Flood — Jan 12, 2025
A large and strong low moved up the North Pacific into the eastern Bering Sea, peaking in strength as it moved up the Kuskokwim Delta. The orientation of the low's front was ideal for strong winds across Southcentral Alaska. Damaging winds were observed across parts of the Turnagain Arm, Kenai Peninsula, Matanuska Valley, and Anchorage. A significant amount of moisture also was transported by t...
Coastal Flood — Jan 9, 2025
A north Pacific low moved into the Bering and tracked northeastward into the Kuskokwim Delta Coast. Southerly winds increased to gale force strength and combined with high tides and a lack of sea ice to cause coastal flooding that inundated many boardwalks and low lying areas in Kwigillingok, Alaska on January 10th. Snow machine trails were submerged as well.
Coastal Flood — Dec 18, 2024
A deep low pressure system with multiple imbedded shortwaves moved into the Bering on December 18th, bringing precipitation and gusty winds to the Aleutian Islands and inland areas of Southwest Alaska. Winds were oriented in a southerly direction in the Kuskokwim Delta, allowing for coastal flooding to impact communities along the shore south of Bethel. Tides were elevated due to a recent full ...
Coastal Flood — Aug 15, 2024
Two Bering Sea low pressure systems tracked into Western Alaska from August 15 through 18th bringing a period of nearly-persistent southerly winds which led to storm surge and coastal flooding along the Kuskokwim Delta coast and backed up flow along the lower Kuskokwim River. Abundant moisture drawn from the tropical West Pacific by both lows squeezed out moderate to heavy rain in Southwest Ala...
Coastal Flood — Nov 14, 2023
A strong low developed to the west of the Aleutian Chain late on the evening of November 13th and moved into the western Bering Sea, eventually moving east into the western coastline of Mainland Alaska by the afternoon of November 15th. Strong winds gusting as high as 77 mph affected portions of the central Aleutians as the low moved to the north while even stronger winds and seas up to 40 fee...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Bethel Census Area, Alaska:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Bethel Census Area, Alaska that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.