FAQs • Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK • CivicEngage

What is the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)?: The NFIP is managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and contains three components: flood insurance, floodplain management, and flood hazard mapping. Participation in the NFIP is determined by whether the community adopts and enforces floodplain management ordinances in exchange for the protection of federal flood insurance availability to its citizens.

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Floodplain Management

1. When are Floodplain Permits required?

Note: Existing development constructed after being mapped in the special flood hazard area (SFHA) is required to still have a floodplain permit and is in violation of the floodplain management regulations.

Before a person starts construction on any new or substantially improved structure:

Place any moveable structures such as a manufactured home
Alter or relocate any watercourse
Perform any other development within SFHA, manmade change to improved or unimproved real estate, including, but not limited to:
- Buildings or other structures
- Dredging
- Drilling operations
- Excavation
- Filing
- Grading
- Mining
- Paving
- Storage of equipment or materials
Excavate or remove material within 250 feet of the centerline of the Tanana Levee structure

2. What is a flood?: The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) defines a flood as a general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas (at least 2 or more acres or 2 or more adjacent properties) from overflow of inland or tidal waters or from the unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source.

3. What are flood zones?: Flood zones are land areas identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Each flood zone describes that land area in terms of its risk of flooding. Everyone lives in a flood zone it’s just a question of whether you live in a low, moderate, or high-risk area.

4. What is a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA)?: Land areas that are at high risk for flooding are called SFHAs or floodplains. These areas are indicated on Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and are designated with an "A". In high-risk areas, there is at least a one in four chance of flooding during a 30-year mortgage. Properties in the SFHA with federally backed loans require flood insurance.

5. How can I find out my flood zone?: If you live in the Fairbanks North Star Borough (FNSB), you can call the Flood Plain Administrator in the Community Planning Department at (907) 459-1260.

6. How can I find out what my flood risk is?: Visit the FloodSmart website to find out what your flood risk is.

7. What is Base Flood Elevation (BFE)?: The BFE is the height of the base (one percent annual chance) flood, usually in feet, in relation to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD29), the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD88), or other datum reference in the Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report, or average depth of the base flood, usually in feet, above the ground surface.

8. Is there a fee for a Floodplain Permit?: No, Fairbanks North Star Borough (FNSB) does not charge for a Floodplain Permit. We have 30 days to process Floodplain Permits.

9. What is a Flood Elevation Certificate (EC)?: An EC is an administrative tool of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) which is used to provide elevation information necessary to ensure compliance with the community floodplain management ordinances, to determine the proper insurance premium rate, or support a request for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA).

10. What is a Certificate of Compliance?: The certificate is issued by the Fairbanks North Star Borough (FNSB) floodplain administrator pursuant to the requirements of FNSB 15.04.055 certifying that at the time of issuance, development described in the certificate was in compliance with the floodplain management requirements of the Fairbanks North Star Borough.

11. How do I obtain a Certificate of Compliance?

After you receive your Floodplain Permit and your project has been completed, you will submit a certificate of compliance application along with the required documentation certifying that your development complies with applicable requirements and standards set forth in Fairbanks North Star Borough (FNSB) Title 15 no later than 60 days after obtaining a finished construction elevation certificate or flood-proofing certificate, if required.

At a minimum, this will include an elevation certificate certifying the elevation of the lowest finished floor (including basement) of all new and substantially improved buildings; a report stating that the ability of the channel to adequately carry floodwater will be maintained at the same capacity as prior to alteration for watercourse alteration or relocation; a Zero Rise Certification for construction, fill or other development in a regulatory floodway.

12. What is a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA)?: A LOMA is an official amendment, by letter, to an effective National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) map for insurance purposes. A LOMA establishes a property’s location in relation to the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). The letter becomes effective on the date sent.

13. How can I apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA)?: If you live in the Fairbanks North Star Borough (FNSB), you can call the floodplain administrator in the Community Planning Department at 907-459-1260. The property is required to have the floodplain permit and certificate of compliance certifying the property meets Title 15 regulations.

14. How long does it take to obtain a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA), LOMR-F and LOMR?: Upon receipt of all required data a LOMA or LOMR-F, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issues a determination within 60 days. Upon receipt of all required data to support a LOMR, FEMA issues a determination within 90 days.

15. What is the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)?: The NFIP is managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and contains three components: flood insurance, floodplain management, and flood hazard mapping. Participation in the NFIP is determined by whether the community adopts and enforces floodplain management ordinances in exchange for the protection of federal flood insurance availability to its citizens.

16. Does my homeowner's insurance policy cover flooding?: No, flood damage is not typically covered by a homeowner’s insurance policy. A flood insurance policy covers surface water flooding (see "What is a flood?").

17. Is my flood insurance policy activated at the time of purchase?: No, there is a 30-day waiting period from the date of purchase before your policy goes into effect.

18. Can I get flood insurance if I'm renting a property?: Yes, because Fairbanks North Star Borough (FNSB) participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) you can buy flood insurance to cover the contents of your home or business.

19. Does a 100-year flood occur once every 100 years on average?: The 100-year flood (base flood) is a climatic average, that is, there is a one percent chance a 100-year flood will happen in any given year. The base flood could occur more than once in a relatively short period of time.

20. What are the recurrence intervals (estimate of the likelihood of an event) and probabilities of occurrences?

Recurrence Interval (In Years)	Probably of Occurrence in Any Given Year	Percent Chance of Occurrence in Any Given Year	Annual Exceedance Percentage (AEP)
100	1 in 100	1	1
50	1 in 50	2	0.50
25	1 in 25	4	0.25
10	1 in 10	10	0.10
5	1 in 5	20	0.05
2	1 in 2	50	0.02

21. What is my chance of flooding over a 30 year mortgage?: Over a 30-year mortgage, there is a 26% chance you’ll have a 100-year flood (base flood).