Enter any address in Midland County, Michigan to see its FEMA flood zone
River overflow along the Saginaw River and its tributaries is a significant flood concern in Midland County. Between 2000 and 2020, NOAA data recorded 15 flood events and 5 flash flood events in the county. For example, heavy rainfall in May 2020 led to significant flooding along the Saginaw River, with some areas receiving 4 to 6 inches of rain.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $53,114 and an average water depth of 2.6 feet. Properties in Zone X also have a notable number of claims, with an average payout of $43,675 and an average water depth of 1.1 feet. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, as well as those located near rivers and streams, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
11 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Midland County, Michigan has recorded 20 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 5 flash floods and 15 river or area floods. The county has received 14 federal disaster declarations, 4 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Dam/Levee Break | May 16, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 22, 2017 |
| Flooding | Flood | Apr 16, 2013 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| 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 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | May 20, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 19, 2020 | 100.00M |
| Flood | May 18, 2020 | 10.00M |
| Flood | Mar 15, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 21, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 23, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 22, 2017 | 116.40M |
| Flood | Aug 16, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 19, 2013 | 1.40M |
| Flood | Apr 10, 2013 | 250.00K |
Flood — May 20, 2020
A stalled low pressure system and frontal boundary across the southern Great Lakes region brought record rainfall to southeast Michigan beginning the morning of May 17, 2020 and continuing into the afternoon hours of May 19, 2020. Total rainfall reached 1 to 6 inches across southeast Michigan, with the 4 to 6 inches focused across the Tri-Cities region. As a result, several rivers across the re...
Flash Flood — May 19, 2020
A stalled low pressure system and frontal boundary across the southern Great Lakes region brought record rainfall to southeast Michigan beginning the morning of May 17, 2020 and continuing into the afternoon hours of May 19, 2020. Total rainfall reached 1 to 6 inches across southeast Michigan, with the 4 to 6 inches focused across the Tri-Cities region. As a result, several rivers across the re...
Flood — May 18, 2020
A stalled low pressure system and frontal boundary across the southern Great Lakes region brought record rainfall to southeast Michigan beginning the morning of May 17, 2020 and continuing into the afternoon hours of May 19, 2020. Total rainfall reached 1 to 6 inches across southeast Michigan, with the 4 to 6 inches focused across the Tri-Cities region. As a result, several rivers across the re...
Flood — Mar 15, 2019
Snow pack with 2 inches of liquid water equivalent melted, coupled with rainfall slightly above half of an inch, caused the Tittabawassee River at Midland to reach moderate flood level. The river peaked at 25.41 feet during the morning of March 16th. Several roads were closed due to flooding, including parts of US-10.
Flood — Feb 21, 2018
A series of disturbances traveling along a slow-moving frontal boundary to the west of Southeast Michigan brought repeated rounds of heavy rainfall to the region over a 48 hour period. As the main low pressure system moved northeastward from the Central Plains to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan on Tuesday, February 20, record high moisture content for February standards moved into Southeast Mic...
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 Midland 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 Midland 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.