Enter any address in Houghton County, Michigan to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from intense thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Houghton County. Between 2000 and 2024, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 18 flood events and 9 flash flood events. For example, a series of thunderstorms brought flash flooding to portions of Houghton and Ontonagon Counties in July 2025, with rainfall totals ranging from two to four inches in four hours, leading to a state of emergency. Another event in June 2024 saw heavy rains of three to five inches wash out culverts.
While most National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims in Houghton County have been in Zone X, with an average payout of $17,850 and water depths of 0.8 feet, one claim in Zone A resulted in a higher average payout of $27,835. Homeowners in areas prone to flash flooding, particularly those near waterways or in lower-lying terrain, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
6 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Houghton County, Michigan has recorded 28 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 9 flash floods and 18 river or area floods. The county has received 9 federal disaster declarations, 3 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. 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 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Jun 16, 2018 |
| Flooding | Flood | Apr 16, 2013 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Flooding | Flood | Apr 10, 2002 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 23, 2025 | 5.50M |
| Flash Flood | Jul 23, 2025 | 25.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 21, 2025 | 200.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 18, 2024 | 50.00K |
| Flood | Apr 12, 2023 | 18.00M |
| Flood | May 4, 2023 | 500.00K |
| Flood | Apr 25, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 23, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 14, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 13, 2022 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 23, 2025
A series of training thunderstorms brought flash flooding to portions of Houghton and Ontonagon Counties between 0300 and 0730EST on July 23. Four-hour rainfall totals ranged from two to four inches in the area. The Governor of Michigan declared a state of emergency as a result of the flooding.
Flash Flood — Jun 21, 2025
A warm front lifting through Upper Michigan caused thunderstorms which resulted in flooding in Houghton County and wind damage in western and central Upper Michigan.
Flash Flood — Jun 18, 2024
Heavy rains of 3 to 5 inches from thunderstorms washed out culverts over portions of Ontonagon and Houghton counties during the early morning of the 19th.
Flood — Apr 12, 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.
Flood — May 4, 2023
The historic late season snowstorm of May 1-2 dumped three to more than four inches of liquid water equivalent precipitation over the higher terrain of Baraga, Marquette and western Alger counties. This significant precipitation event led to a second round of spring snowmelt flooding over portions of west and north central portions of Upper Michigan into early May.
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 Houghton 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 Houghton 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.