Enter any address in Benzie County, Michigan to see its FEMA flood zone
2 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Benzie County, Michigan has recorded 5 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 1 flash 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lakeshore Flood | Apr 13, 2020 | 8.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | Jun 10, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | Oct 22, 2019 | 129.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | Oct 16, 2019 | 8.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 1, 2000 | — |
Lakeshore Flood — Apr 13, 2020
Strong low pressure passed just north of eastern upper Michigan on the morning of the 13th. Gusty west to northwest winds developed during the day, in the wake of the low. Gusts of 40 to 50 mph were common across northern Michigan, especially during the afternoon. The highest measured wind gust was 58 mph at the airport in Gaylord. Some localized power outages resulted. Lakeshore flooding also ...
Lakeshore Flood — Jun 10, 2020
The remnants of Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Cristobal lifted across Lake Superior and into northern Ontario. Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms developed on the 10th. A line of severe thunderstorms brought damaging winds to places near Saginaw Bay. Later in the day, training thunderstorms brought heavy rain to Traverse City. And some lakeshore flooding also occurred on the northwest low...
Lakeshore Flood — Oct 22, 2019
Strong northerly to easterly winds resulted in another round of substantial coastal flooding and beach erosion, this time on both Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, for the 21st into the 22nd.
Lakeshore Flood — Oct 16, 2019
Northwest to north winds produced high waves and elevated water levels along the northwest lower Michigan coastline. With Great Lakes water levels at near-record levels, significant coastal flooding and beach erosion resulted.
Flash Flood — Sep 1, 2000
Thunderstorms formed along a warm front that stretched across northern Lower Michigan. The first thunderstorms began in Leelanau County around 400 pm and intensified quickly over the next hour. One thunderstorm intensified west of Traverse City and quickly moved over the downtown area. As the storm moved east of the city, a 60 MPH wind gust was reported, followed by a report of one inch diamete...
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 Benzie 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 Benzie 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.