Enter any address in Wayne County, Michigan to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from intense thunderstorms is a primary flood concern in Wayne County. Recent events include widespread residential flooding and road closures in western Wayne County on August 24, 2023, following torrential rainfall. Another instance on July 28, 2025, saw stationary storms produce significant rainfall over the Detroit Metro Airport area, leading to flash flooding.
Homeowners in Zone A, which accounts for the majority of National Flood Insurance Program claims in the county, should pay particular attention to flood risk. While Zone X (unshaded) has seen fewer claims, these have resulted in higher average payouts and water depths, suggesting potential for significant damage. Properties in all identified flood zones, including X_SHADED and X_UNSHADED, may be susceptible to flood damage.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
37 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Wayne County, Michigan has recorded 117 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 35 flash floods and 60 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 (1972–2023)
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 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Sep 10, 2000 |
| Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99 | Snowstorm | Jan 2, 1999 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 30, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 28, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 2, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 23, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 24, 2023 | 3.00M |
| Flash Flood | Aug 24, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 30, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Lakeshore Flood | May 28, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 27, 2021 | 100.00K |
| Flood | Jun 26, 2021 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 30, 2025
Heavy rain, 1.5 to 3 inches, produced flooding in and around Ypsilanti, Canton, and Northville.
Flash Flood — Jul 28, 2025
A very warm and humid airmass supported the development of thunderstorms. Weak winds aloft limited storm motion speeds leading to some stationary storms that produced flooding. One storm developed right over Detroit Metro Airport, producing 2.68 of rainfall in 2.5 hours which lead to flash flooding. Additional storms near Sterling Heights produced radar estamited 3 inches of rain, which also le...
Flood — Apr 2, 2025
Morning snow, light freezing rain, and some sleet transitioned to rain showers and thunderstorms by midday on April 2nd. An anomalously warm and humid low-level air mass moved into Lower Michigan while the surface warm front lagged well to the south, over the Ohio Valley. Numerous rounds of repeated rainfall during the day and overnight led to several areas across Metro Detroit receiving betwee...
Flash Flood — Jul 23, 2024
A few severe thunderstorms developed along the M-59 corridor, producing both hail and damaging winds, with flooding also occuring over parts of Macomb and Wayne counties. Rainfall totals of 2 to 2.5 inches were observed over a short period.
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...
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 Wayne 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 Wayne 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.