Enter any address in Charlevoix County, Michigan to see its FEMA flood zone
3 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Charlevoix County, Michigan has recorded 4 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 1 flash floods. The county has received 7 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1977–2025)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Ice Storm | Mar 28, 2025 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Deep Freeze | Freezing | Jan 10, 1994 |
| 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 | Nov 15, 2020 | 5.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | Apr 13, 2020 | 150.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | Oct 21, 2019 | 80.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 18, 2012 | 2.00K |
Lakeshore Flood — Nov 15, 2020
Gusty winds increased on the 15th, as strong low pressure moved directly over northern Michigan before departing. Gusts of 50 to 55 mph were common along the Lake Michigan coastline. A peak gust of 59 mph was measured at Grand Traverse Light. Hunting activities were significantly disrupted (the 15th is opening day of the firearms season for deer in Michigan). Lakeshore flooding also developed a...
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 — Oct 21, 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.
Flash Flood — Jun 18, 2012
A warm front allowed warm and moist air to surge north into Northern Michigan. Initial thunderstorms developed in Eastern Upper Michigan in the afternoon; some of these produced large hail. Incoming thunderstorms organized into a line as they crossed Northern Lake Michigan; this squall line produced many reports of 40 to 55mph winds, but only a few pockets of wind damage, in addition to a sin...
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 Charlevoix 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 Charlevoix 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.