Enter any address in Macomb County, Michigan to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Macomb County. Between 2021 and 2025, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 36 flood events, 25 flash flood events, and 10 lakeshore flood events. Recent flash flooding occurred in July 2024, when thunderstorms produced 2 to 2.5 inches of rain over a short period, causing flooding in Macomb and Wayne counties. In July 2025, stationary storms near Sterling Heights produced an estimated 3 inches of rain, leading to flash flooding.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $7,480 and an average water depth of 2.5 feet. Properties in Zone X, despite having fewer claims, show a higher average payout of $8,168 and an average water depth of 4.2 feet. Homeowners in Zone A and Zone X, as well as those in Zone X_SHADED and Zone X_UNSHADED, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
23 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Macomb County, Michigan has recorded 71 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 25 flash floods and 36 river or area floods. The county has received 18 federal disaster declarations, 6 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1972–2023)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Flood | Aug 24, 2023 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Jun 25, 2021 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Aug 11, 2014 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 20, 2004 |
| Power Outage | Other | Aug 14, 2003 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Dec 11, 2000 |
| Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99 | Snowstorm | Jan 2, 1999 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 28, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 18, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 23, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 2, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 26, 2021 | 1.00M |
| Flash Flood | Aug 12, 2021 | 100.00K |
| Flood | Aug 28, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 28, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | Apr 23, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | Jul 19, 2020 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 28, 2025
A very warm and humid airmass supported the development of thunderstorms. Weak winds aloft limited storm motion speeds leading to some stationary storms that produced flooding. One storm developed right over Detroit Metro Airport, producing 2.68 of rainfall in 2.5 hours which lead to flash flooding. Additional storms near Sterling Heights produced radar estamited 3 inches of rain, which also le...
Flash Flood — Jun 18, 2025
Multiple rounds of thunderstorms impacted portions of Southeast Michigan on June 18, 2025. The first round consisted of sub-severe pop-up thunderstorms during the morning hours. These produced pockets of heavy downpours but otherwise brought some relief to areas that had seen relatively dry conditions in recent days. Showers expanded in coverage across the southern part of the state by late mor...
Flash Flood — Jul 23, 2024
A few severe thunderstorms developed along the M-59 corridor, producing both hail and damaging winds, with flooding also occuring over parts of Macomb and Wayne counties. Rainfall totals of 2 to 2.5 inches were observed over a short period.
Flash Flood — Aug 2, 2024
A quick 2 inches of rain fell in a very short period of time, leading to some flooding on I-94.
Flash Flood — Jun 26, 2021
After several weeks of moderate to severe drought conditions in Southeast Michigan, an active weather pattern brought widespread rainfall and flooding to Metro Detroit and surrounding areas during the weekend of June 25-27th. Low pressure tracking along a stalled stationary boundary interacted with a very moist subtropical air mass to produce widespread 3 to 5 inches of rainfall across Metro De...
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 Macomb 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 Macomb 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.