Enter any address in Oakland County, Michigan to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from intense thunderstorms is the primary flood hazard in Oakland County. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 24 flash flood events and 12 general flood events. For example, in April 2025, slow-moving thunderstorms delivered 2 to 3 inches of rain to northern parts of the county, causing localized flooding. Similarly, in July 2025, heavy rainfall estimated at 2 to 4 inches led to flash flooding in East Central Oakland County.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone X, which includes areas with moderate flood risk, have experienced the highest average payouts and water depths. Claims data also shows that properties in Zone A, designated high-risk flood areas, have also seen a significant number of claims. Homeowners in these designated flood zones, as well as those in Zone X_SHADED and Zone X_UNSHADED, should pay close attention to flood risk information.
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.
Oakland County, Michigan has recorded 36 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 24 flash floods and 12 river or area floods. The county has received 15 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 (1975–2023)
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 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Sep 10, 2000 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Apr 25, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 16, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 27, 2021 | 100.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 26, 2021 | 2.00M |
| Flash Flood | Jul 24, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 8, 2021 | 3.40M |
| Flood | Aug 28, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 28, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 11, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 10, 2020 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Apr 25, 2025
An cluster of slow moving, training thundestorms produced torrential rainfall over northern portions of Oakland County on the evening of April 25th. This resulted in a localized area of 2 to 3 inches of rain over Oakland County. The heaviest rain fall between approximtely 4:30pm and 7pm EDT, with light rain continuing through approximately 9pm.
Flash Flood — Jul 16, 2025
Heavy rain producing flooding caused flash flooding in East Central Oakland county. Radar estimates indicated 2 to 4 inches fell. A COOP observer reported 2.5 inches just east of Farmington.
Flash Flood — Aug 27, 2021
A quick 2 to 4 inches in a short period of time from thunderstorms lead to flash flooding across southern Oakland county and much of northern Wayne County.
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...
Flash Flood — Jul 24, 2021
An active severe weather season for Southeast Michigan continued on July 24, 2021 with another round of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. Thunderstorms initially developed mid-afternoon just south of Cadillac and tracked southeastward into the Tri-Cities and Metro Detroit regions through the evening. Storms began as a broken line and strengthened quickly as they moved into a region of favorab...
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 Oakland 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 Oakland 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.