Enter any address in Saginaw County, Michigan to see its FEMA flood zone
River overflow along the Saginaw River is a significant flood character for Saginaw County. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 33 flood events and 7 flash flood events. For example, in May 2020, record rainfall caused significant flooding along the Saginaw River. In May 2019, thunderstorms produced heavy rain leading to significant flooding and over $4.5 million in damage in parts of Saginaw County.
NFIP claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $17,880 for an average water depth of 2.9 feet. Properties in Zone X also show a high average payout of $20,672, though with a lower average water depth of 1.4 feet. Homeowners in Zone A, and those located near rivers or in areas prone to river overflow, should pay the most 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.
Saginaw County, Michigan has recorded 40 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 7 flash floods and 33 river or area floods. The county has received 17 federal disaster declarations, 5 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1973–2020)
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 |
| Flooding | Flood | Apr 16, 2013 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 6, 2008 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 20, 2004 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Dec 11, 2000 |
| Severe Storms | Severe Storm | May 29, 1998 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes,and Flooding | Severe Storm | Jul 2, 1997 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | May 18, 2020 | 9.00M |
| Flood | May 18, 2020 | 1.00M |
| Flood | May 25, 2019 | 300.00K |
| Flood | Feb 21, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 24, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 11, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 19, 2013 | 1.30M |
| Flood | Apr 10, 2013 | 150.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 21, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 14, 2008 | 100.00K |
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 — May 25, 2019
Thunderstorms produced heavy rain, with 1 to 4 inches reported, generally along and north of I-69. Locations across southeast Saginaw and southwest Tuscola counties saw the heaviest rain, just over 4 inches which caused significant flooding, resulting in at least 4.5 million dollars of damage. Numerous roads around Frankenmuth were flooded, but most of the road washouts and damage occurred acro...
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...
Flood — Jun 24, 2017
Warm, moist tropical air during the day on Thursday helped to spark severe storms that began to develop during the late afternoon hours. These storms continued through the evening before the severe threat switched over to a flooding threat during the overnight hours. Heavy rain continued to fall across much of the area throughout the overnight as a cold front pushed eastward. Numerous trees and...
Flash Flood — Aug 11, 2014
A historic rainfall event unfolded over Southeast Michigan on Monday, August 11, leading to major flooding and road closures. This event was caused by a strengthening low pressure system moving over the area, focusing the tropical moisture which came up from the south. The hardest hit areas included Metro Detroit and surrounding communities, along with Flint and the Saginaw Valley areas. Wa...
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 Saginaw 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 Saginaw 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.