Metro Detroit flood insurance gap leaves most homes exposed

A Shelby Township contractor’s review of FEMA, NOAA and state records shows fewer than 1 in 200 residential buildings in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties have flood insurance. The data also show that most insured flood claims hit basements, and many losses fall outside FEMA’s high-risk flood zones.

Why it matters: - Metro Detroit homeowners face a major coverage gap before the next heavy rain, storm surge or sewer backup. - The lack of flood insurance means many residents would have to pay out of pocket for basement damage and other flood losses. - The data also show that flood risk extends beyond FEMA’s designated high-risk zones.

What happened: - Mansour's Innovations, a Shelby Township basement waterproofing, excavation and plumbing contractor, compiled federal and state flood records for Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties. - The guide covers 2014 through 2026 and uses records from FEMA, NOAA and Michigan's Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. - FEMA counts 5,813 residential flood policies across about 1.38 million residential buildings in the three counties. - That equals 0.42%, or fewer than 1 in 200 homes, with federal flood insurance. - The three counties were included in federally declared disasters in August 2014, June 2021 and August 2023. - After those storms, between 99,000 and 143,000 households in the region signed up for FEMA aid. - Flood insurance claims tied to those same storms totaled 543, 151 and 138.

The details: - Since 2014, 89% of flood insurance claims with a recorded foundation type were for homes with basements. - Of claims with a recorded flood zone, 38% came from homes outside FEMA’s high-risk zones. - In Royal Oak ZIP code 48067, none of the 19 flood claims since 2014 was in a high-risk zone. - Of claims with a recorded cause, 61% came from rain or snowmelt runoff. - Another 25% came from water overflowing from a stream, river or lake. - ZIP code 48125 in Dearborn Heights recorded 331 claims since 2014, the most in the three counties. - Detroit ZIP code 48215 recorded 249 claims. - In Macomb County, ZIP code 48047, which includes Chesterfield Township and New Baltimore, had 60 claims. - In Macomb County, ZIP code 48045, which includes Harrison Township, had 50 claims. - Since January 2014, sewer systems in the three counties filed 4,422 discharge reports with the state. - About three-quarters of those discharge reports came from Wayne County. - In Detroit, several neighboring cities and parts of south Oakland County use combined stormwater and sewage pipes. - When those pipes fill during heavy rain, water can back up through a basement floor drain. - Imad "Matt" Mansour said people often call after two feet of basement water and want to know whether insurance will pay. - Mansour said many homeowners do not have flood coverage, and a flood policy only covers a sewer backup in narrow cases.

Between the lines: - The numbers suggest many homeowners still confuse flood damage, groundwater seepage and sewer backup. - The claim data show that risk is not limited to riverfront or officially mapped flood zones. - The sewer discharge data point to infrastructure stress as part of the problem, especially in areas with combined pipes. - The guide also suggests that residents often wait until after damage happens to learn what their policies do and do not cover. - Mansour said the goal was to give people local numbers before the next storm, not after.

What's next: - Homeowners can check whether their policies include water backup coverage. - Mansour recommended taking photos before cleanup after sewage damage and sending written notice within 45 days if a claim may be filed under Michigan law. - The guide notes that Detroit's Basement Backup Protection Program was closed pending more funding as of Nov. 6, 2026. - The guide also says Royal Oak's RENO program waives permit and inspection fees for a backwater valve but does not pay for the valve itself. - Most cities require a plumbing permit for backwater valve installation. - The company said the records were downloaded on Nov. 6, 2026 and counted without adjustment. - Mansour's Innovations says reporters, researchers and local officials may cite the guide.

The bottom line: - Metro Detroit has a flood problem and a flood insurance problem at the same time, and most homeowners appear to be uncovered when the water rises.