Enter any address in Barry County, Michigan to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the dominant flood character in Barry County. Recent NOAA Storm Events data indicates 11 flash flood events and 4 general flood events over the past 30 years. For example, flash flooding occurred in July 2011 following heavy rain and thunderstorms, and again in June 2008, which led to a presidential disaster declaration for Barry County and surrounding areas.
FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows a significant number of claims in Zone A, with an average payout of $12,554 and an average water depth of 1.4 feet. Claims in Zone X, typically considered moderate to low risk, have shown higher average payouts and water depths in some instances, suggesting that flood risk can extend beyond mapped high-risk areas. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, as well as those in Zone X with higher water depths, should pay close attention to flood risk.
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.
Barry County, Michigan has recorded 15 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 11 flash floods and 4 river or area floods. The county has received 13 federal disaster declarations, 2 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1965–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Flooding | Flood | Apr 16, 2013 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 6, 2008 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 20, 2004 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Dec 11, 2000 |
| Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99 | Snowstorm | Jan 2, 1999 |
| Blizzards & Snowstorms | Snowstorm | Jan 27, 1978 |
| Snowstorms | Snowstorm | Feb 5, 1977 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Apr 17, 2013 | 5.00M |
| Flash Flood | Jul 28, 2011 | 250.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 19, 2009 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 7, 2008 | 500.00K |
| Flood | May 21, 2004 | 1M |
| Flood | Feb 24, 2001 | 10K |
| Flash Flood | May 16, 2001 | 25K |
| Flash Flood | May 16, 2001 | 50K |
| Flash Flood | May 15, 2001 | 25K |
| Flash Flood | May 15, 2001 | 50K |
Flood — Apr 17, 2013
Record flooding occurred during the month of April and record crests occurred on the lower portions of the Grand River at Ionia, Lowell, Ada, Comstock Park, and Grand Rapids, Michigan. Due to the severity of the flooding, Michigan���s Governor Rick Snyder declared a state of disaster for 19 counties and two cities. ||The two cities declared in the disaster were Grand Rapids and Ionia. T...
Flash Flood — Jul 28, 2011
Several rounds of heavy rain and thunderstorms moved across southwest lower Michigan from July 27 to July 29, flooding roadways and intersections across areas near to mainly south of Interstate 96. The most significant impacts from flash flooding occurred in and near the Lansing area. Radar estimated that 6 to 10 inches of rain fell from July 27 to 29 near and southwest of Lansing.
Flash Flood — Jun 19, 2009
Thunderstorms developed and moved across Lake Michigan during the evening hours on June 19th. Several hours of intense rainfall occurred starting around 7:00 PM EST. The ground was already saturated from early morning thunderstorms that produced very heavy rainfall. In addition to the heavy rain, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes accompanied the thunderstorms.
Flash Flood — Jun 7, 2008
Severe thunderstorms produced several reports of damaging wind gusts and also caused significant flooding. In fact a presidential disaster declaration was issued for Allegan, Barry, Eaton and Ottawa counties.
Flood — May 21, 2004
The biggest and longest duration flooding event in the past ten to twenty years occurred across southwestern and south central lower Michigan from May 20th through the third of June. Flooding in mid May resulted in very high river levels and the ground was saturated on the 20th. Numerous thunderstorm complexes and areas of heavy rainfall developed repeatedly in the vicinity of a quasi station...
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 Barry 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 Barry 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.