Water Damage Restoration in Detroit, MI

First Steps for Water in a Home in Detroit

• Burst pipe: shut the main water valve, then open the lowest faucet to drain the lines (burst pipe steps).
• Stay clear of wet outlets and cords.
• Photograph the damage, then call your insurer.

How Often Detroit Floods

The 6 counties of the Detroit metro area logged flooding on 43 days from 2016 to 2025 (90 NOAA reports), July most often.

At the Dearborn #2 gauge, May is the wettest month with 3.7 inches on average.

Freezing Nights in Detroit

Detroit averages 125 nights a year at or below 32°F (Dearborn #2 station). About 46 of them drop to 20°F or colder. NOAA counted 27 winter storm, ice or extreme cold days in the 6 counties of the Detroit metro area from 2016 to 2025.

Unheated crawl spaces, attics and garages freeze first (Red Cross); keep the heat at 55°F or more (IBHS).

Storms and Disasters in Detroit

The 6 counties of the Detroit metro area were named in 2 federal weather or fire declarations since 2016 (OpenFEMA).

Notable NOAA storm reports

• May 17, 2024: Hail, 2.25 inch hail (Lapeer County)Thunderstorms moved through Tuscola, Lapeer, and Oakland Counties producing hail and a brief landspout near Cass City.
• August 24, 2023: Thunderstorm wind, 90 mph gust (Livingston County)Trees snapped and uprooted due to straight line winds from Wallace road to Cedar road, along and north of West Van Orgen Road.
• July 24, 2021: Tornado, EF1 (Oakland County)A tornado touched down 1 mile NNE of White Lake just west of the intersection of Teggerdine Rd and Pontiac Lake Rd. The tornado began as an EF-0 in which several healthy trees were uprooted and snapped.
• June 26, 2021: Flash flood (Wayne County)Numerous roads and highways became impassable due to flooding. Four to eight inches of rainfall was reported in and around downtown Detroit, with Grosse Pointe Park reporting the highest total of 8.19 inches.
• May 1, 2019: Flash flood (Wayne County)Heavy rain with thunderstorms produced 2 to 4 inches of rain in about a 4 hour window across the I-94 corridor.

Federal disaster declarations

• February 8, 2024: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And FloodingFlood, FEMA DR-4757
• July 15, 2021: Severe Storms, Flooding, And TornadoesSevere Storm, FEMA DR-4607

Detroit Housing at a Glance

Census figures for the city of Detroit (American Community Survey, 2020 to 2024): 329,393 housing units, a median build year of 1947, 90% built before 1980, 86% before 1970, 50% owner occupied.

Michigan Insurance Rules for Water Claims

Michigan insurers must say in writing what proof of loss they need within 30 days after receiving a claim, unless the claim is settled in that time (MCL 500.2006).

Claim problems in Michigan go to the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services.

Flood damage needs a separate flood policy, which typically starts 30 days after purchase (FloodSmart). Look up Detroit flood zones on FEMA's flood maps.

Restoration Cost Guide for Detroit

Sources: Bob Vila, May 2023; III, 2019 to 2023.

Areas Served Around Detroit

The same 24/7 line covers the Detroit metro area, including:

• Detroit
• Warren
• Sterling Heights
• Dearborn
• Livonia
• Troy
• Farmington Hills
• Westland
• Rochester Hills
• Southfield
• Novi
• Pontiac

Other Michigan city guides

• Grand Rapids water damage restoration

Water damage restoration in all cities

Questions

When is the first freeze in Detroit?

The median first night at or below 32°F is October 25 and the median last is April 27 at the Dearborn #2 station (NOAA normals, 1991 to 2020).

Does Michigan license mold assessment or remediation?

No. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says the state does not certify mold remediators or mold testing companies (MDHHS, mold).

How fast does mold start?

Dry wet materials within 24 to 48 hours (EPA).