Enter any address in Monroe County, Michigan to see its FEMA flood zone
Lakeshore flooding and general flooding events have been the most frequent types of flooding in Monroe County over the past 30 years, according to NOAA Storm Events data. Recent examples include lakeshore flooding along Lake Erie in May 2021, which led to evacuations in Luna Pier, and widespread residential flooding and road closures due to heavy rainfall in August 2023.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the highest number of claims, with an average payout of $5,879 and an average water depth of 1.7 feet. However, properties in Zone X have seen significantly higher average payouts, reaching $19,620 with an average water depth of 1.9 feet, despite fewer claims.
Homeowners in low-lying areas, particularly those along the Lake Erie shoreline and near rivers, should pay close attention to flood risk. Properties located in Zone A and Zone X, as well as those without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE), may be at higher risk of experiencing flood damage.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
19 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Monroe County, Michigan has recorded 38 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 11 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 (1965–2023)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Flood | Aug 24, 2023 |
| 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 |
| Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99 | Snowstorm | Jan 2, 1999 |
| Flooding | Flood | Mar 29, 1982 |
| Blizzards & Snowstorms | Snowstorm | Jan 27, 1978 |
| Severe Storms & Flooding | Flood | Apr 12, 1973 |
| Severe Storms & Flooding | Flood | Dec 1, 1972 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Aug 24, 2023 | 1.00M |
| Flash Flood | Aug 24, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | May 28, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | Apr 26, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | Apr 23, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | Mar 22, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | May 16, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | May 13, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | Jun 12, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 11, 2020 | 0.00K |
Flood — Aug 24, 2023
Thunderstorms producing torrential rainfall led to flooding in the Detroit metro area early Thursday morning (August 24th). Western Wayne county into Monroe county was hardest hit resulting in widespread residential flooding, road closures, and stranded vehicles. Most notable was the closure of Dingell Drive at Detroit Metro Airport which cut off access to the McNamara terminal for several hour...
Flash Flood — Aug 24, 2023
Thunderstorms producing torrential rainfall led to flooding in the Detroit metro area early Thursday morning (August 24th). Western Wayne county into Monroe county was hardest hit resulting in widespread residential flooding, road closures, and stranded vehicles. Most notable was the closure of Dingell Drive at Detroit Metro Airport which cut off access to the McNamara terminal for several hour...
Lakeshore Flood — May 28, 2021
East-northeast winds of 30 to 40 mph lead to elevated water levels and flooding along the western Lake Erie shoreline. An estimated 40 to 50 homes on Allen Cove Drive in Luna Pier, MI were evacuated due to flooding. There are also reports of minor street flooding up and down the lakeshore.
Lakeshore Flood — Apr 26, 2020
Prolonged east-northeast winds of 15 to 20 mph over Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair lead to some lakeshore flooding, as water levels remain at record high values.
Lakeshore Flood — Apr 23, 2020
Prolonged easterly winds of 15 to 20 mph over Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair lead to some lakeshore flooding, as water levels remain at record high values.
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 Monroe 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 Monroe 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.