Enter any address in Lapeer County, Michigan to see its FEMA flood zone
Flooding from heavy rainfall events is the primary flood concern in Lapeer County. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data indicates 8 flood events and 8 flash flood events. For example, on April 10, 2013, 3 to 6 inches of rain caused rivers and streams to flood, closing dozens of roads across the county and flooding hundreds of basements. More recently, on January 11, 2020, a winter storm brought heavy rain and high winds, contributing to high water levels and erosion along shorelines in nearby counties, with potential impacts extending to Lapeer.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A, designated for Special Flood Hazard Areas, have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $5,974 and an average water depth of 2.8 feet. While Zone X properties have seen fewer claims, their average payout is significantly higher at $15,210, though with a lower average water depth of 0.7 feet. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those with properties near rivers and streams, or in areas with known basement flooding, should pay close attention to flood risk information.
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.
Lapeer County, Michigan has recorded 16 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 8 flash floods and 8 river or area floods. The county has received 11 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 (1975–2020)
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 |
| Power Outage | Other | Aug 14, 2003 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Dec 11, 2000 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 21, 1996 |
| Severe Storms & Flooding | Flood | Sep 10, 1986 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Sep 5, 1985 |
| Blizzards & Snowstorms | Snowstorm | Jan 27, 1978 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Icing & Flooding | Severe Storm | Mar 19, 1976 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jan 11, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 13, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 10, 2013 | 100.00K |
| Flood | May 15, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 17, 2009 | 100.00K |
| Flood | Aug 9, 2009 | 3.00M |
| Flash Flood | Jul 16, 2008 | 20.00K |
| Flood | Sep 14, 2008 | 125.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 2, 2006 | 300K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 22, 2005 | — |
Flood — Jan 11, 2020
A winter storm tracking through southeast Michigan brought heavy rain and freezing rain, with about a quarter of an inch ice from US-10 south to about M-57. Many accidents and spin outs occurred across the Tri-Cities region and Flint vicinity due to the icy roads. In addition, strong northeast winds lead to high water levels and large waves causing significant lakeshore flooding and erosion alo...
Flash Flood — Jul 13, 2017
Localized heavy rain up to 3 inches produced flash flooding in Lapeer and Gensess counties.
Flood — Apr 10, 2013
A frontal boundary stalled over Michigan dropping 3 to 6 inches of rain. This resulted in the flooding of some rivers, streams and low-lying areas. Dozens of roads were closed across the following counties: Midland, Bay, Saginaw, Tuscola, Lapeer, and St. Clair. Several roads were also reported to be damaged. Hundreds of basements were flooded, with some property damage also reported.||Here are ...
Flood — May 15, 2011
Three to five inches of rain over the weekend lead to flooding. Several roads were closed, mostly from Mill Creek overflowing its banks.
Flood — Jun 17, 2009
Three to six inches of rain fell in and around the I-69 corridor during the daytime hours of June 17th. This amount of rain, coupled with the wet spring, lead to flooding across a few counties. Road closures and basement flooding were common.
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 Lapeer 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 Lapeer 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.