Enter any address in Alger County, Michigan to see its FEMA flood zone
1 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Alger County, Michigan has recorded 8 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 4 flash floods and 3 river or area floods. The county has received 5 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1977–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Blizzards & Snowstorms | Snowstorm | Jan 27, 1978 |
| Drought | Drought | Mar 2, 1977 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Apr 28, 2025 | 75.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 28, 2025 | 3.50K |
| Flood | May 5, 2023 | 1.00M |
| Flood | Oct 10, 2018 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 5, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 5, 2018 | 15.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | Oct 24, 2017 | 50.00K |
| Flood | Nov 25, 2005 | — |
Flash Flood — Apr 28, 2025
A low pressure lifting through the region on the 28th resulted in strong thunderstorms that produced severe hail, strong winds, and flooding rainfall.
Flood — May 5, 2023
The historic late season snowstorm of May 1-2 dumped three to more than four inches of liquid water equivalent precipitation over the higher terrain of Baraga, Marquette and western Alger counties. This significant precipitation event led to a second round of spring snowmelt flooding over portions of west and north central portions of Upper Michigan into early May.
Flood — Oct 10, 2018
Heavy rain of more than two inches caused flooding on Rock River Road north of Chatham on the afternoon of the 10th.
Flash Flood — Sep 5, 2018
Heavy rainfall of 3 to 5 inches from late on the 4th into the morning of the 5th caused flooding over portions of central Upper Michigan which continued into the 6th.
Lakeshore Flood — Oct 24, 2017
A rapidly deepening fall storm system tracking from the Ohio Valley to near the Mackinac Straits produced very strong and damaging north winds up to 60 mph, power outages and extensive lake shore flooding over mainly the north half of Upper Michigan on the 24th.
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 Alger County, Michigan:
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 Alger County, Michigan 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.