Enter any address in Sitka City and Borough, Alaska to see its FEMA flood zone
River overflow along the Yukon River and its tributaries is a significant flood concern in Sitka City and Borough County, AK. Recent events in May 2023 illustrate this, with ice jams and snowmelt contributing to flooding along the Yukon River. Another event in June 2023 involved heavy rainfall on a residual snowpack, causing significant runoff and flooding along Birch Creek and Crooked Creek.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that while Zone A properties have experienced flooding with an average water depth of 1.3 feet, these claims have resulted in zero payouts. Properties in Zone X_Unshaded have also seen claims with no reported water depth or payouts.
Residents in areas prone to river overflow, particularly those near Birch Creek and Crooked Creek, should be particularly aware of flood risks. Properties located in Zone A, which may experience water intrusion, should also pay close attention to flood preparedness.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
10 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Sitka City and Borough, Alaska has recorded 16 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 1 flash floods and 15 river or area floods. The county has received 2 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (2020–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | May 31, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 14, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 13, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 1, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 9, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 20, 2015 | 0.30K |
| Flood | May 6, 2014 | 1.00K |
| Flood | May 20, 2013 | 300.00K |
| Flood | May 19, 2013 | 1.50M |
| Flood | May 28, 2012 | 0.00K |
Flood — May 31, 2023
A weather front brought from 1 to 2 inches of rain to the headwaters of Birch Creek and Crooked Creek. The rain fell on a residual winter snowpack and resulted in significant runoff due to the combination of rapid snowmelt and the heavy rainfall. This caused high water and flooding along rivers and streams draining the region including Crooked Creek and Birch Creek which impacted the community ...
Flood — May 14, 2023
A prolonged period of well-below-average spring temperatures combined with an above-average winter snowpack created a dynamic breakup of the Yukon River. This resulted in numerous ice jams and snowmelt flooding on the Yukon River. Breakup flooding began on May 12th in eastern Alaska in Eagle and ended on June 3rd in the Yukon River delta at the Bering Sea coast at the community of Emmonak. The ...
Flood — May 13, 2023
A prolonged period of well-below-average spring temperatures combined with an above-average winter snowpack created a dynamic breakup of the Yukon River. This resulted in numerous ice jams and snowmelt flooding on the Yukon River. Breakup flooding began on May 12th in eastern Alaska in Eagle and ended on June 3rd in the Yukon River delta at the Bering Sea coast at the community of Emmonak. The ...
Flood — Jun 1, 2023
A weather front brought from 1 to 2 inches of rain to the headwaters of Birch Creek and Crooked Creek. The rain fell on a residual winter snowpack and resulted in significant runoff due to the combination of rapid snowmelt and the heavy rainfall. This caused high water and flooding along rivers and streams draining the region including Crooked Creek and Birch Creek which impacted the community ...
Flood — May 9, 2022
An ice jam formed in the Yukon River approximately 6 miles down river of Circle causing flooding.
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 Sitka City and Borough, 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 Sitka City and Borough, 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.