Enter any address in Berrien County, Michigan to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall is the dominant flood character in Berrien County. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 18 flash flood events and 9 general flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding on March 31, 2023, caused by heavy rain rates from thunderstorms, and minor flooding on April 5, 2023, associated with lines of storms producing heavy rain.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $16,387 and an average water depth of 0.5 feet. However, properties in Zone X, though fewer in number, have seen higher average payouts of $18,828 with an average water depth of 0.3 feet. Properties in Zone X_UNSHADED also show a notable average payout of $13,756.
Homeowners in Berrien County, particularly those in or near designated flood zones, should be aware of their risk. Those with properties in Zone A, or any property that has experienced flooding regardless of official zone designation, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
9 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Berrien County, Michigan has recorded 27 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 18 flash floods and 9 river or area floods. The county has received 12 federal disaster declarations, 5 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1972–2020)
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 |
| 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 |
| Flooding | Flood | Mar 29, 1982 |
| Severe Storms & Flooding | Flood | Sep 8, 1980 |
| Blizzards & Snowstorms | Snowstorm | Jan 27, 1978 |
| Severe Storms, High Winds & Flooding | Flood | Apr 26, 1975 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Mar 31, 2023 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 29, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 5, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 5, 2023 | 2.00K |
| Flood | Apr 5, 2023 | 20.00K |
| Flood | Jun 26, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 10, 2021 | 1.34M |
| Flood | Sep 7, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 20, 2018 | 8.40M |
| Flash Flood | Jun 23, 2014 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Mar 31, 2023
Thunderstorms developing in the evening of March 31 resulted in multiple weather hazards. Hail nearly 2 inches in diameter was observed, trees were downed from thunderstorm wind, and flooding occurred from heavy rain rates. Thunderstorms went on to produce tornadoes in Indiana, and later Ohio.
Flash Flood — Jul 29, 2023
Storms developed along a stalled frontal boundary on the evening of July 28th. These storms developed in clusters and were slow moving with heavy rain that produced some flooding. A small cluster of storms also produced brief wind damage during the morning hours of the 28th.
Flood — Apr 5, 2023
Two lines of storms moved across the area on April 5th, 2023 with isolated damaging wind, hail, and heavy rain. There was also some minor flooding.
Flood — Jun 26, 2021
Two lines of strong storms swept through the northern and western portions of the CWA from 3p-9p. Several storms in the first line exhibited rotation. A few funnel clouds were reported but no confirmed tornadoes. The second line had mainly straight-line winds. Heavy rain and flooding was also reported.
Flash Flood — Aug 10, 2021
On the night of August 9, storms moved in from Lake Michigan. These storms began to train and 2.5 to 7 inches of rain was reported in Berrien County.
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 Berrien 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 Berrien 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.