Enter any address in Dickinson County, Michigan to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from severe thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Dickinson County. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 13 flash flood events compared to 3 general flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding on May 12, 2022, caused by an upper disturbance and heavy rainfall, and a flash flood event on June 16, 2018, which brought severe storms and significant damage to surrounding areas.
While specific flood zones are not detailed for Dickinson County, National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties with an unknown flood zone designation have experienced claims averaging $2,243 with an average water depth of 26.2 feet. Homeowners, journalists, and real estate agents should pay close attention to flood risk, particularly those residing in areas prone to rapid rainfall events or with properties located in zones where flood risk is not clearly defined.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
3 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Dickinson County, Michigan has recorded 16 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 13 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Apr 13, 2023 | 100.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 12, 2022 | 2.00K |
| Flood | Apr 23, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 16, 2018 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 17, 2016 | 200.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 4, 2014 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 4, 2014 | 30.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 25, 2013 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 23, 2010 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 30, 2002 | — |
Flood — Apr 13, 2023
Rapid melting of much above normal snowpack caused widespread, and at times, extensive flooding over portions of west and central Upper Michigan from the 12th into the 25th. Extensive impacts from the flooding caused Governor Whitmer to declare a state of emergency declaration for eight counties in west and central Upper Michigan on the 21st.
Flash Flood — May 12, 2022
An upper disturbance moving through a warm, moist and unstable environment set the stage for the development of isolated severe thunderstorms, heavy rainfall and flooding over portions of west and central Upper Michigan during the afternoon and evening of the 12th. Governor Whitmer declared a state of emergency for the flood damage in western Marquette County.
Flood — Apr 23, 2019
Abundant and anomalously wet snow pack along with periods of moderate to heavy rain contributed to widespread minor river flooding across much of west and central Upper Michigan from the 18th through the end of the month.
Flash Flood — Jun 16, 2018
A very moist and unstable air mass in place and the presence of a nearly stationary frontal boundary produced several rounds of severe storms and flash flooding across portions of west and central Upper Michigan from the 16th into the 17th. The hardest-hit area was in Houghton County where widespread rain amounts of 3 to almost 7 inches caused massive flood damage to the City of Houghton and ...
Flash Flood — Oct 17, 2016
Heavy rainfall of three to four inches on top of already saturated ground caused flash flooding over portions of Marquette, Dickinson and Iron Counties from the evening of the 17th into the 18th.
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 Dickinson 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 Dickinson 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.