Enter any address in Sanilac County, Michigan to see its FEMA flood zone
5 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Sanilac County, Michigan has recorded 11 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 5 flash floods and 3 river or area floods. The county has received 12 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 (1973–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 20, 2004 |
| 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 |
| Blizzards & Snowstorms | Snowstorm | Jan 27, 1978 |
| Snowstorms | Snowstorm | Feb 5, 1977 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Lakeshore Flood | Jul 19, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | Jan 11, 2020 | 500.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | Oct 16, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Nov 1, 2019 | 1.00M |
| Flood | Apr 28, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 2, 2006 | 1.25M |
| Flood | May 23, 2004 | — |
| Flash Flood | Jul 27, 2000 | 35K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 21, 1997 | — |
| Flash Flood | Jul 6, 1997 | — |
Lakeshore Flood — Jul 19, 2020
Severe thunderstorms moving through the area caused extreme water level fluctuations on Lake St. Clair, St. Clair River, and southern Lake Huron, which lead to lakeshore flooding.
Lakeshore Flood — Jan 11, 2020
A winter storm tracking through southeast Michigan brought heavy rain and freezing rain, with about a quarter of an inch ice from US-10 south to about M-57. Many accidents and spin outs occurred across the Tri-Cities region and Flint vicinity due to the icy roads. In addition, strong northeast winds lead to high water levels and large waves causing significant lakeshore flooding and erosion alo...
Lakeshore Flood — Oct 16, 2019
Strong and prolonged northwest winds around 35 mph generated large waves over Saginaw Bay and southern Lake Huron. These higher waves and elevated water levels caused significant lakeshore flooding. Flooding to homes and roads were reported in Harbor Beach, Caseville, and Sebewaing. Erosion of the shoreline occurred at Port Crescent State Park. Finally, significant erosion and damage to seawal...
Flood — Nov 1, 2019
Widespread lakeshore flooding from record high water levels of the Great Lakes and periodic strong onshore flow occurred from late April 2019 to November 2019. Extensive erosion and property damage occurred, with monetary values in the millions. The widespread flooding ended at the end of November when the Great Lakes reached winter seasonal minimum water levels.
Flash Flood — Aug 2, 2006
A cold front moved through the area during the evening of August 2nd and finally brought an end to the five day heat wave that had plagued southeast Michigan. Thunderstorms, a few intense, fired up out ahead of the cold front within the unstable airmass in place across southeast michigan. The severe weather was primarily confined to areas along and just south of the I-69 corridor. This was main...
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 Sanilac 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 Sanilac 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.