Michigan Summary

From 1980–2024 (as of June 10, 2024), there have been 55 confirmed weather/climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion each to affect Michigan. These events included 5 drought events, 4 flooding events, 1 freeze event, 38 severe storm events, and 7 winter storm events. The 1980–2023 annual average is 1.2 events (CPI-adjusted); the annual average for the most recent 5 years (2019–2023) is 3.0 events (CPI-adjusted).

Billion-dollar events to affect Michigan from 1980 to 2024* (CPI-AUnadjusted)
Disaster TypeEventsEvents/​YearPercent FrequencyTotal CostsPercent of Total Costs
Drought50.19.1%$2.0B-$5.0B23.6%
Flooding40.17.3%$2.0B-$5.0B23.8%
Freeze10.01.8%$5M-$100M0.4%
Severe Storm380.869.1%$5.0B-$10.0B47.4%
Tropical Cyclone----------
Wildfire----------
Winter Storm70.212.7%$500M-$1.0B4.9%
All Disasters551.2100.0%$10.0B-$20.0B100.0%
Drought50.111.1%$1.0B-$2.0B19.4%
Flooding30.16.7%$1.0B-$2.0B19.2%
Freeze10.02.2%$5M-$100M0.2%
Severe Storm320.771.1%$2.0B-$5.0B56.6%
Tropical Cyclone----------
Wildfire----------
Winter Storm40.18.9%$250M-$500M4.6%
All Disasters451.0100.0%$5.0B-$10.0B100.0%
Select Time Period Comparisons of Michigan Billion-Dollar Drought, Flooding, Freeze, Severe Storm, Tropical Cyclone, Wildfire, and Winter Storm Statistics (CPI-AUnadjusted)
Time PeriodBillion-Dollar DisastersEvents/YearCostPercent of Total Cost
1980s (1980-1989)60.6$2.0B-$5.0B23.6%
1990s (1990-1999)40.4$500M-$1.0B4.5%
2000s (2000-2009)111.1$1.0B-$2.0B12.9%
2010s (2010-2019)171.7$2.0B-$5.0B32.5%
Last 5 Years (2019-2023)153.0$2.0B-$5.0B28.3%
Last 3 Years (2021-2023)113.7$2.0B-$5.0B20.2%
Last Year (2023)33.0$1.0B-$2.0B8.0%
All Years (1980-2024)*551.2$10.0B-$20.0B100.0%
1980s (1980-1989)20.2$500M-$1.0B8.4%
1990s (1990-1999)10.1$100M-$250M1.8%
2000s (2000-2009)90.9$1.0B-$2.0B12.6%
2010s (2010-2019)161.6$2.0B-$5.0B37.7%
Last 5 Years (2019-2023)153.0$2.0B-$5.0B41.2%
Last 3 Years (2021-2023)113.7$2.0B-$5.0B30.4%
Last Year (2023)33.0$1.0B-$2.0B12.6%
All Years (1980-2024)*451.0$5.0B-$10.0B100.0%
Billion-Dollar Events to affect Michigan
Event Type Begin
Date
End
Date
Summary CPI-AUnadjusted
Estimated
Cost
(in Billions)
Deaths
Central, Southern, Southeastern Tornado Outbreak
May 2024
Severe StormMay 6, 2024May 9, 2024An outbreak producing more than 165 tornadoes developed across many central, southern and southeastern states. The states most affected include Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. This multi-day torando outbreak produced at least 61 EF-0, 79 EF-1, 13 EF-2, three EF-3, one EF-4 tornado and dozens of EF-U (unknown/unrated) tornadoes, causing widespread damage to many homes, businesses, vehicles, agriculture and other infrastructure. The towns of Barnsdall and Bartlesville, Oklahoma were impacted by a violet EF-4 tornado that caused extensive damage.$4.7 CI3
Central and Eastern Severe Weather
February 2024
Severe StormFebruary 27, 2024February 28, 2024Severe storms produced two dozen tornadoes, hail and high wind impacts across northern Illinois, central Ohio and southern Michigan. There were additional high wind impacts focused across northern Kentucky and northern Georgia causing damage to homes, vehicles, businesses and other infrastructure.$1.3 CI0
Central, Southern, Northeastern Winter Storm and Cold Wave
January 2024
Winter StormJanuary 14, 2024January 18, 2024A bitterly cold airmass affected numerous central and southern states most including Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee and Georgia. This long-duration cold wave produced sleet and freezing rain accumulations into the deep south, across much of Mississippi. High winds also pushed wind chills well below zero for many states contributing to dozens of fatalities, many in Tennessee. Damage also occurred to homes, vehicles and businesses from the high winds and frozen precipitation.$1.8 CI41
North Central and Southeastern Severe Weather
July 2023
Severe StormJuly 19, 2023July 21, 2023Severe storms caused damage across several North Central and Southeastern states. The states most impacted were Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Tennessee and Georgia. Ping pong to golf ball-sized hail and high winds damaged many homes, vehicles, businesses and other infrastructure.$1.9 CI1
Rockies Hail Storms and Central and Eastern Severe Weather
June 2023
Severe StormJune 21, 2023June 26, 2023Severe hail storms across Colorado damaged many homes, vehicles and injured approximately 100 people at a large outdoor concert. This multi-day outbreak of severe weather also produced more than 60 tornadoes across portions of Wyoming, Colorado, Minnesota, Indiana, Kentucky and Arkansas that caused damage to homes, businesses, vehicles, agriculture and other infrastructure.$5.4 CI8
Central and Eastern Severe Weather
April 2023
Severe StormApril 4, 2023April 6, 2023Severe storms produced large hail, high winds and more than 35 tornadoes across many central and southern states. The states most affected were Illinois, Kentucky, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri and Michigan where there was considerable damage to homes, businesses, agriculture, vehicles and other infrastructure.$2.9 CI5
North Central and Eastern Severe Weather
July 2022
Severe StormJuly 22, 2022July 24, 2022Severe weather with high winds and 19 tornadoes impact numerous states including North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland and New York. Many homes, businesses, vehicles, agriculture and other infrastructure were damaged.$1.4 CI1
North Central Hail Storms
May 2022
Severe StormMay 19, 2022May 19, 2022Severe hail storms with numerous reports of golf-balled sized hail causing damage across southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. These hail storms were south of the hail storms that damaged many homes, vehicles and businesses just 10 days earlier on May 9.$2.6 CI0
Midwest Derecho and Tornado Outbreak
December 2021
Severe StormDecember 15, 2021December 15, 2021A rare, record-breaking December derecho and tornado outbreak caused widespread damage that was focused across Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. There were many reports of hurricane-force thunderstorm wind gusts and more than 50 tornadoes causing widespread damage to homes, vehicles, businesses and infrastructure. This was the first December derecho on record to occur within the United States. This event also produced the first December tornado on record in Minnesota since 1950, with 17 tornadoes reported across southeast Minnesota.$2.0 CI1
Southeast, Central Tornado Outbreak
December 2021
Severe StormDecember 10, 2021December 10, 2021Historic December tornado outbreak across several southeast and central states caused devastating damage across many towns and cities. This outbreak produced two long-tracked EF-4 tornadoes across Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee and Kentucky. The longest tornado track was nearly 166 miles across Kentucky and a small portion of Tennessee. This was the longest-tracked tornado on record in Kentucky and was a U.S. record tornado track length for the month of December. There were over 800 total miles of tornado path length on December 10. The peak intensity from this outbreak was EF-4 rated wind speeds of 190 mph in Mayfield, Kentucky. This day was also the deadliest December tornado outbreak recorded in the United States surpassing the Vicksburg, Mississippi tornado of December 5, 1953, which caused 38 fatalities.$4.4 CI93
North Central Severe Weather
August 2021
Severe StormAugust 10, 2021August 13, 2021Widespread high wind impacts across numerous North Central states including Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio and Missouri. This multi-day event caused damage to infrastructure, homes, vehicles and businesses.$1.5 CI2
Central Severe Storms
June 2021
Severe StormJune 24, 2021June 26, 2021A combination of thunderstorm high winds, hail and tornadoes affected numerous Central states. The states most affected included Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, Kansas and Texas with damage to homes, businesses, vehicles and agriculture.$1.4 CI0
Ohio Valley Hail Storms
June 2021
Severe StormJune 17, 2021June 18, 2021Damaging hail storm and high wind impacts across several states including Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Missouri. The hail impacts were most severe in southeastern Minnesota, southern Iowa, southeastern Indiana and southwestern Ohio, with damage to many homes, vehicles and businesses.$2.0 CI0
Central Severe Weather - Derecho
August 2020
Severe StormAugust 10, 2020August 10, 2020A powerful derecho traveled from southeast South Dakota to Ohio, a path of 770 miles in 14 hours producing widespread winds greater than 100 mph. The states most affected included Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Indiana and Ohio. This derecho caused widespread damage to millions of acres of corn and soybean crops across central Iowa. There was also severe damage to homes, businesses and vehicles particularly in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In addition, there were 15 tornadoes across northeastern Illinois several affecting the Chicago metropolitan area. This is the third severe weather event (since 1980) with inflation-adjusted costs over $10.0 ($12.1) billion joining the late-April and May 2011 tornado outbreaks across the Southeastern and Central states, respectively.$13.3 CI4
North Central and Ohio Valley Hail Storms and Severe Weather
April 2020
Severe StormApril 7, 2020April 8, 2020Numerous hail storms caused widespread damage across many North Central and Ohio Valley states including Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin and Missouri. More than 20 tornadoes were also reorted across southern Indiana and Ohio. There was additional widespread high wind damage to homes, vehicles and businesses in many other surrounding states.$3.5 CI0
Southeast Tornadoes and Northern Storms and Flooding
January 2020
Severe StormJanuary 10, 2020January 12, 2020More than 80 tornadoes and severe storms caused damage across many southeastern states (AL, AR, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MS, MO, NC, OH, SC, TN, TX, VA, WI). Storms and severe flooding also impacted northern states including Michigan, Wisconsin and New York. Significant damage occurred along the shoreline of Lake Michigan to roads, the foundation of homes and to Port Milwaukee. These powerful waves were generated by high winds and a lack of seasonal ice cover.$1.4 CI10
Missouri River and North Central Flooding
March 2019
FloodingMarch 14, 2019March 31, 2019Historic Midwest flooding inundated millions of acres of agriculture, numerous cities and towns, and caused widespread damage to roads, bridges, levees, and dams. The states most affected were Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, South Dakota, Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Michigan. This flood was triggered by a powerful storm with heavy precipitation that intensified snow melt and flooding. Of note, the Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska was also severely flooded - the third U.S. military base to be damaged by a billion-dollar disaster event over a 6-month period (Sept 2018-Feb 2019). This historic flooding was one of the costliest U.S. inland flooding events on record.$13.4 CI3
Central and Northeast Severe Weather
May 2018
Severe StormMay 1, 2018May 4, 2018Numerous central states (KS, NE, OK, TX, NM, MO, IA, IL, IN, OH, WI) were impacted by large hail and tornadoes. Several northeastern states including NY, PA and VT were also impacted by high wind damage from severe storms.$1.7 CI0
Southern and Eastern Tornadoes and Severe Weather
April 2018
Severe StormApril 13, 2018April 16, 2018Tornadoes and severe storms with large hail cause widespread damage across many Southern and Eastern states (AR, FL, GA, LA, MD, MI, MS, MO, NJ, NY, NC, PA, SC, TX, VA) over a multi-day period. There were over 70 confirmed tornadoes largely clustered in Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and Virginia. This same system also caused winter storm impacts of high wind and ice accumulation in northeastern states.$1.6 CI3
Midwest Tornado Outbreak
March 2017
Severe StormMarch 6, 2017March 8, 2017Tornado outbreak and wind damage across many Midwestern states (AR, IA, IL, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, NY, OH, WI). Missouri and Illinois were impacted by numerous tornadoes while Michigan and New York were affected by destructive, straight-line winds following the storm system. Nearly one million customers lost power in Michigan alone due to sustained high winds, which affected several states from Illinois to New York.$2.8 CI2
Central/Southeast Tornado Outbreak
March 2017
Severe StormFebruary 28, 2017March 1, 2017Over 70 tornadoes developed during a widespread outbreak across many central and southern states causing significant damage. There was also widespread straight-line wind and hail damage. This was the second largest tornado outbreak to occur early in 2017.$2.3 CI6
Southeast and Eastern Tornadoes
February 2016
Severe StormFebruary 22, 2016February 24, 2016Early outbreak of tornadoes and severe weather across many southern and eastern states including (AL, CT, FL, GA, LA, MA, MD, MS, NC, NJ, NY, PA, SC, TX, VA). There were at least 50 confirmed tornadoes causing widespread damage.$1.4 CI10
Central and Northeast Severe Weather
June 2015
Severe StormJune 21, 2015June 25, 2015Severe storms across numerous Central and Northeast states (CO, CT, IA, IL, MD, MI, NJ, NY, PA, SD, VA, WI) with widespread hail and high wind damage.$1.5 CI1
Midwest/Ohio Valley Severe Weather
April 2015
Severe StormApril 7, 2015April 9, 2015Severe storms across the Midwest and Ohio Valley including the states (AR, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MI, MO, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, TX, WI, WV). Large hail and high winds created the most damage across Missouri and Illinois.$2.1 CI2
Central and Eastern Winter storm, Cold Wave
February 2015
Winter StormFebruary 14, 2015February 20, 2015A large winter storm and associated cold wave impacted many central, eastern and northeastern states (CT, DE, GA, IL, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA). The city of Boston was particularly impacted as feet of snow continued to accumulate causing load-stress on buildings and clogging transportation corridors. Total, direct losses in Massachusetts alone exceed $1.0 ($1.3) billion for this event, with considerable damage in many other states.$4.0 CI30
Michigan and Northeast Flooding
August 2014
FloodingAugust 11, 2014August 13, 2014Heavy rainfall in excess of 5 inches caused significant flooding in cities across Michigan damaging thousands of cars, business, homes and other infrastructure. Flooding also occurred across Maryland and New York's Long Island, as the slow-moving storm system delivered 24-hour rainfall exceeding 6 and 12 inches, respectively, creating more flood damage. Islip, NY received 13.57 inches of rain over a 24-hour period on Aug 12-13 setting a new 24-hour precipitation record for New York.$1.4 CI2
Central Severe Weather
April 2014
Severe StormApril 12, 2014April 13, 2014Severe weather produced hail and high wind damage across several central states including Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Wisconsin and Texas. The damage was most focused in Illinois and Michigan, as storms caused impacts to many homes, vehicles and businesses.$1.2* CI0
Midwest/Southeast/Northeast Winter Storm
January 2014
Winter StormJanuary 5, 2014January 8, 2014Winter storm caused widespread damage across numerous Midwest, Southeast and Northeastern states (AL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MD, MI, MO, MS, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA).$2.9 CI16
Ohio Valley Tornadoes
November 2013
Severe StormNovember 17, 2013November 17, 2013Late-season outbreak of tornadoes and severe weather over the Ohio Valley (IL, IN, KY, MI, MO, OH) with 70 confirmed tornadoes. Most severe impacts occurred across Illinois and Indiana.$1.5 CI8
U.S. Drought/Heat Wave
2012
DroughtJanuary 1, 2012December 31, 2012The 2012 drought is the most extensive drought to affect the U.S. since the 1930s. Moderate to extreme drought conditions affected more than half the country for a majority of 2012. The following states were affected: CA, NV, ID, MT, WY, UT, CO, AZ, NM, TX, ND, SD, NE, KS, OK, AR, MO, IA, MN, IL, IN, GA. Costly drought impacts occurred across the central agriculture states resulting in widespread harvest failure for corn, sorghum and soybean crops, among others. The associated summer heat wave also caused 123 direct deaths, but an estimate of the excess mortality due to heat stress is still unknown.$41.4 CI123
Rockies and Midwest Derecho
July 10-11, 2011
Severe StormJuly 10, 2011July 11, 2011A derecho produced a wide swatch of high wind damage beginning east of the Rockies and across the central plains (CO, IA, IL, MI, MN, OH).$1.7 CI2
Midwest/Southeast Tornadoes and Severe Weather
June 2011
Severe StormJune 18, 2011June 22, 2011Outbreak of tornadoes over central states (OK, TX, KS, NE, MO, IA, IL) with an estimated 81 tornadoes. Additional wind and hail damage across the Southeast (TN, GA, NC, SC).$2.1 CI3
Midwest Flooding
Summer 2008
FloodingApril 1, 2008June 30, 2008Heavy rain and flooding caused significant agricultural loss and property damage in IA, IL, IN, MO, MN, NE, and WI with IA being hardest hit with widespread rainfall totals ranging from 4 to over 16 inches.$14.8 CI24
Midwest/Mid-Atlantic Severe Weather
June 2008
Severe StormJune 6, 2008June 12, 2008An outbreak of tornadoes and thunderstorms over the Midwest/Mid-Atlantic states (IA, IL, IN, KS, NE, MI, MN, MO, OK, WI, MD, VA, WV).$2.3 CI18
Western/Eastern Drought/Heat Wave
Summer-Fall 2007
DroughtJune 1, 2007November 30, 2007Severe drought with periods of extreme heat over most of the southeast and portions of the Great Plains, Ohio Valley, and Great Lakes area, resulting in major reductions in crop yields, along with very low stream-flows and lake levels. Includes states of ND, SD, NE, KS, OK, TX, MN, WI, IA, MO, AR, LA, MS, AL, GA, NC, SC, FL, TN, VA, WV, KY, IN, IL, OH, MI, PA, NY.$5.5 CI15
Central Severe Weather
October 2006
Severe StormOctober 2, 2006October 5, 2006Severe storms cause high wind and hail damage across numerous states including OH, IL, IN, MI, MN and WI.$1.4* CI1
Severe Storms, Hail, Tornadoes
May 2004
Severe StormMay 21, 2004May 27, 2004Severe storms including tornadoes and hail cause damage across the Midwest, South, Southeast and Northeast regions. The states impacted include IA, IL, IN, KY, MI, MO, NC, NE, NY, OK, OH and WI.$1.7 CI4
Southern Derecho and Eastern Severe Weather
July 2003
Severe StormJuly 21, 2003July 23, 2003Derecho across several southern states with the most focused damage across the Memphis, Tennessee metro area. Severe storms impact states across the South, Southeast, Midwest and Northeast regions including AR, AL, MS, GA, FL, SC, TN, KY, MI, NY, OH, PA and VT.$1.7 CI7
Midwest/Plains Severe Weather
July 2003
Severe StormJuly 4, 2003July 9, 2003Severe storms affect the states IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, VA, WV across the Midwest and Plains.$1.5* CI7
Severe Storms/Hail
April 2003
Severe StormApril 4, 2003April 7, 2003Severe storms and large hail over the southern plains and lower MS valley, with Texas hardest hit, and much of the monetary losses due to hail.$3.4 CI3
Midwest/Ohio Valley Hail and Tornadoes
April 2001
Severe StormApril 6, 2001April 11, 2001Storms, tornadoes, and hail in the states of TX, OK, KS, NE, IA, MO, IL, IN, WI, MI, OH, KY, WV, and PA, over a 6-day period.$5.5 CI3
Central and Eastern Winter Storm
Mid-January 1999
Winter StormJanuary 13, 1999January 16, 1999Winter storm affecting the Central and Eastern states including IL, IN, OH, MI, WV, VA, MD, PA, NJ, NY, MA, CT, VT, NH and ME.$1.7* CI0
Central and Eastern Severe Storms and Flooding
June 1998
Severe StormJune 20, 1998June 24, 1998Severe storms and flooding impact numerous Central and Eastern states. In particular, these storms and floods affected many residences and businesses throughout north-central and eastern Ohio. More than 7,000 homes were affected and more than 1,000 structures were completely destroyed or declared uninhabitable.$1.7* CI12
Northern Plains and Great Lakes Derecho, Tornadoes
June 1998
Severe StormMay 30, 1998June 2, 1998Severe storms in late May through early June hit the Midwest, North, Northeast, and Southeast$2.2 CI20
Severe Storms, Tornadoes
March 1991
Severe StormMarch 26, 1991March 29, 1991Severe storms hit the Midwest, Southeast, Northeast. The states impacted include KS, IL, MI, IN, MS, TN, KY, OH, AL, PA, NY, GA, SC and NC.$1.5* CI0
U.S. Drought/Heat Wave
Summer 1988
DroughtJune 1, 1988August 31, 19881988 drought across a large portion of the U.S. with very severe losses to agriculture and related industries. Combined direct and indirect deaths (i.e., excess mortality) due to heat stress estimated at 5,000.$54.2 CI454
Michigan Flooding
September 1986
FloodingSeptember 10, 1986September 12, 1986Rainfall over a two-day period was 8 to 13 inches. Across Central Lower Michigan, 22 counties were declared disaster areas. Thousands of homes suffered first floor or basement damage throughout Michigan. More than 3,600 miles of roadways were impassable as the result of the failure of four primary road bridges and hundreds of secondary road bridges and culverts. A total of 14 dams were undermined. Thousands of acres of crops including sugar beets, beans, potatoes, corn, and other vegetables were ruined.$1.1* CI10
Winter Storm, Cold Wave
January 1985
Winter StormJanuary 19, 1985January 22, 1985Extreme cold and winter storms in the Southeast, South, Southwest, Northeast, Midwest, and North$2.5* CI150
Midwest/Plains/Southeast Tornadoes
April 1982
Severe StormApril 2, 1982April 4, 1982Tornadoes and severe weather affect the states (AL, AR, CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MI, MN, MO, MS, NE, OH, OK, PA, TN, TX, WI, WV) across the Midwest, Plains and Southeast.$1.6* CI33
Midwest/Southeast/Northeast Winter Storm, Cold Wave
January 1982
Winter StormJanuary 8, 1982January 16, 1982Winter storm and cold wave affect numerous states (AL, AR, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV) across the Midwest, Southeast and Northeast.$2.2* CI85

Deaths associated with drought are the result of heat waves. (Not all droughts are accompanied by extreme heat waves.)

Flooding events (river basin or urban flooding from excessive rainfall) are separate from inland flood damage caused by tropical cyclone events.

*Statistics valid as of June 10, 2024

Citing this information: