Enter any address in Manistee County, Michigan to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the most frequent type of flooding recorded in Manistee County. Recent examples include localized flooding on June 4, 2024, caused by slow-moving storms producing heavy rain. Lakeshore flooding has also occurred, such as on April 13, 2020, and November 1, 2020, driven by strong winds along the Lake Michigan coastline.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that properties designated as Zone A have experienced the majority of claims, with an average payout of $9,966 and an average water depth of 7.4 feet. While properties in Zone X and its sub-zones have had no reported payouts or water depth, the presence of claims in Zone A suggests a higher risk for those properties. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those with properties along the Lake Michigan shoreline or near waterways, should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
4 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Manistee County, Michigan has recorded 16 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 9 flash floods and 3 river or area floods. The county has received 7 federal disaster declarations, 1 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, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 6, 2008 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms & Flooding | Flood | Sep 10, 1986 |
| 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 | Jun 4, 2024 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 4, 2024 | 1.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | Apr 13, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | Nov 1, 2020 | 7.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | Oct 22, 2019 | 142.00K |
| Flood | Jul 20, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 20, 2019 | 3.50M |
| Lakeshore Flood | Oct 16, 2019 | 350.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 11, 2011 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 11, 2011 | 40.00K |
Flood — Jun 4, 2024
Warm, moist atmosphere and slow moving storms resulted in heavy rain over Manistee county, with some localized flooding as a result.
Flash Flood — Jun 4, 2024
Warm, moist atmosphere and slow moving storms resulted in heavy rain over Manistee county, with some localized flooding as a result.
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 — Nov 1, 2020
Strong low pressure crossing northern Ontario would drag a cold front across northern Michigan early on the 1st. Gusty southwest winds ahead of the front became even gustier out of the northwest behind the front. Peak measured wind gusts included 58 mph at Leland and Traverse City, 57 mph at Bay Mills, and 54 mph at Pellston. This resulted in spotty wind damage, as well as lakeshore flooding on...
Lakeshore Flood — Oct 22, 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.
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 Manistee 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 Manistee 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.