Enter any address in Washtenaw County, Michigan to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Washtenaw County. Between 2003 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 21 flood events and 17 flash flood events. Recent examples include widespread residential flooding and road closures reported in August 2023, and major flooding across the Detroit metro area in June 2021 following several inches of rainfall.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $11,665 and an average water depth of 4.0 feet. Zone X and Zone X_Unshaded also show significant claim activity, with average payouts exceeding $12,000. Homeowners in Zone A, and those in areas with higher average water depths or payouts, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
13 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Washtenaw County, Michigan has recorded 38 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 17 flash floods and 21 river or area floods. The county has received 11 federal disaster declarations, 1 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1965–2021)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Jun 25, 2021 |
| 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 |
| Power Outage | Other | Aug 14, 2003 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Dec 11, 2000 |
| Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99 | Snowstorm | Jan 2, 1999 |
| Severe Storms & Flooding | Flood | Sep 8, 1980 |
| Blizzards & Snowstorms | Snowstorm | Jan 27, 1978 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 30, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 24, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 24, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 26, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 25, 2021 | 7.50M |
| Flood | Jan 11, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 30, 2016 | 40.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 14, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 27, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 15, 2012 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 30, 2025
Heavy rain, 1.5 to 3 inches, produced flooding in and around Ypsilanti, Canton, and Northville.
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...
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 — Jun 25, 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...
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 Washtenaw 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 Washtenaw 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.