Top 20 Rainiest Cities and Towns in Michigan

The “mitten outline” of Michigan has its fair share of rain and more than its fair share of snow.

Here we’ve collected the data to rank the rainiest cities and towns. You can probably recognize many of these places, and maybe one is your hometown.

In this article, we look specifically at average annual rainfall followed by the top rainfall events over the past 10 years. We’ll also touch on what you can do to protect your home from rain damage.

Average annual measures give you an idea of where you can expect a fair amount of rainfall every year. We’ve also reviewed NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information’s Storm Events Database. We set the range for Nov. 30, 2010, to Nov. 30, 2020, reviewing the heavy rain events recorded during those 10 years. 

Here are the top 20 ranked by rainfall amount. All amounts shown are those registered over 24 hours or for the total storm if it was reported at less than 24 hours. We’ve left out cities that registered several times on the list, showing only their highest total. 

There are a few cities that get a special mention: 

• Rockland on July 25, 2012, with three inches of rain in one hour.
• Calumet on Sept. 1, 2013, with two inches of rain in 45 minutes.
• Jacobsville on May 30, 2011, with 1.25 inches in 15 minutes.

For further information along these lines, check out our blog Top Cities in Michigan at Serious Risk of Flooding. 

• Install and Maintain Gutters and Downspouts: Make sure they are free of obstructions and sized adequately to carry the water that collects and runs off your roof. Repair any damage before rain arrives.
• Invest in Downspout Extensions: Extensions route water well away from the foundation, and you don’t want water collecting around the walls of your basement or crawl space.
• Practice Proper Landscaping: Grading the soil around your foundation correctly will slope it away from the foundation, allowing water to flow away from your basement or crawl space.
• Waterproof Your Basement or Crawl Space: First, fix any cracks. Then, install a drainage system and sump pump to collect and remove any leaks before they become major flooding problems.

Living in one of Michigan’s top 20 rainiest cities means dealing with significant rainfall, which can easily find its way into your basement despite your best DIY efforts.

Protect your home and ensure your basement stays dry by scheduling a free inspection with Foundation Systems of Michigan.

Our team of experts will provide you with reliable, long-lasting solutions to keep your basement safe from water intrusion.

Don’t wait—contact us today and take the first step toward a dry, worry-free home.