14,683 flood insurance claims·$142.4M paid·19,026 policies in force
Shaded areas are FEMA’s mapped flood hazard zones in and around Michigan. Zoomed out they are simplified; at street level the map switches to FEMA’s exact layer. Tap anywhere to check that spot, or search an address above.
Michigan faces a mixed flood risk characterized by a combination of standard floods, rapid flash floods, and lakeshore flooding. Over the last 30 years, NOAA recorded 619 general flood events resulting in 4 deaths, 540 flash flood events causing 6 deaths, and 121 lakeshore flood events responsible for 2 deaths.
Federal disaster records show that severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding prompted disaster declarations on August 24, 2023. This activity underscores the compounding hazards of severe weather and rising water levels affecting both inland areas and the state's extensive shoreline.
National Flood Insurance Program claims data indicates that the highest volume of financial impact occurs in Zone A, which accounts for 9,615 claims and $108 million paid out, with an average claim of $15,863. However, flood risks extend well outside designated high-risk zones. Residents in Zone X and its sub-categories filed thousands of claims—including 1,877 general Zone X claims totaling $24 million paid, and additional claims across shaded and unshaded X designations—demonstrating that property owners outside traditional flood zones also experience significant flood losses. Zone V and Zone D recorded very few claims, though their average payouts per claim were higher. Residents should review their specific location to understand their exposure, as property damage occurs in both mapped high-risk areas and lower-risk zones.
Summary generated from FEMA disaster declarations, NOAA storm events, and NFIP claim data. Updated quarterly.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims, Policies, and Disaster Declarations data. NFIP policies in force and average premium (premium plus federal policy fee) as of August 31, 2026, from OpenFEMA.
Michigan has received 819 federal disaster declarations, including 156 flood and coastal storm declarations.
NFIP claims by county, 1978 to date. Source: OpenFEMA. Counties ranked by recorded flood events →
Properties in Michigan FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with a mortgage from a federally regulated or insured lender, or a federally backed loan, are required to carry flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Michigan had 19,026 NFIP policies in force on August 31, 2026, and the average NFIP premium was $868 a year (premium plus the federal policy fee; the reserve fund assessment and HFIAA surcharge come on top, and nationally they make actual bills about a quarter higher). Under FEMA’s Risk Rating 2.0 each building is priced on its own flood risk, so a state average says little about what any one home will pay.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from properties outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area. Michigan residents can purchase flood insurance through the NFIP or private insurers.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.
See the most flood-prone counties in Michigan →
Select a county to view local flood zone data and disaster history:
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