Local emergency response · Michigan
Water Damage Restoration in Ann Arbor, MI
Water damage restoration in Ann Arbor, MI is driven less by the Huron River's mapped floodplain than by intense rain overwhelming the city's storm and sanitary systems, and by a housing stock where most homes were built before modern drainage standards. Nearly 6 inches of rain in the June 2021 storm flooded about 230 basements across the county. Call (734) 875-9301 for the verified local line.
Local restoration response
Water damage help, local to Ann Arbor
The Huron River is Ann Arbor's primary riverine flood source, with FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas mapped along the river and its tributaries. But the larger local risk is rain-driven: homes built before about 1980 commonly had foundation footing drains connected to the sanitary sewer, so heavy rain pushes stormwater into sanitary pipes at many times normal flow, causing basement backups and overflows.
That is why the city runs its Footing Drain Disconnect Program, which disconnects those drains and installs interior sump pumps. Roughly 60 percent of Ann Arbor's housing predates 1970, and Michigan homes go deep with basements, so an aging stock of footing drains, foundations, and sumps is the most vulnerable and costly part of the home in every heavy rain event.
Verified service area
Metro serves Ann Arbor from its Michigan response network. There is no public office at this location; the number below is the verified local line for Ann Arbor area dispatch.
(734) 875-9301Local water damage profile
What causes water damage in Ann Arbor?
Water damage in Ann Arbor follows the local landscape: its waterways, weather, housing stock, and soil type. Here is what homeowners and property managers in the area most often deal with.
Huron River flooding
Special Flood Hazard Areas run along the Huron River and tributaries; high river stages flood low-lying streets and riverside buildings.
Footing drain backups
Pre-1980 homes routed footing drains to sanitary sewers, so heavy rain backs stormwater and sewage up into basements.
Intense rainfall events
The June 2021 storm set the county rainfall record and flooded about 230 basements; the June 2023 storm set another record.
Winter pipe failures
Freeze-thaw cycles and deep cold stress supply lines in Ann Arbor's older housing stock.
Local evidence
- Roughly 60 percent of Ann Arbor housing stock was built before 1970, before modern footing drain and stormwater standards.
- The June 2021 storm dropped nearly 6 inches of rain in 24 hours, the most on record in Washtenaw County, flooding about 230 basements.
- Ann Arbor's Footing Drain Disconnect Program has been replacing pre-1980 footing drains that connect to sanitary sewers since about 2001.
- Depot Street culverts, completed in 2020, are the largest flood-mitigation project in city history.
Services in Ann Arbor
Restoration services available in Ann Arbor
Emergency guides
What to do right now in Ann Arbor
When water gets in, the first hour decides how much of the home can be saved. These situation-specific guides give the direct first steps for the emergencies Ann Arbor homeowners and property managers face most.
Service area
Our coverage around Ann Arbor
This map shows the Ann Arbor area served by Metro Water Damage Restoration. If you are in the area and water is moving, call (734) 875-9301 and the local line routes you straight to the nearest available response.
Nearby service areas
Nearby areas we also serve
Dearborn
Page →Plymouth
Page →Novi
Page →West Bloomfield
Page →Troy
Page →Your claim
Documenting Ann Arbor water damage for insurance
Coverage depends on your policy, the cause of loss, exclusions, and your carrier's determination. What you can always control is the documentation: photograph the damage before clean-up, keep the mitigation records, and report the loss promptly.
Insurance guidance- 01
Photograph everything
Document each affected room and item before anything is moved or cleaned.
- 02
Mitigate promptly
Start emergency extraction and drying right away; most policies expect reasonable mitigation.
- 03
Report the loss
Contact your carrier and adjuster to confirm what your policy covers.
- 04
Keep every record
Save drying logs, invoices, and receipts; restoration documentation supports your claim.
Straight answers
Ann Arbor water damage questions
Direct answers about water damage in the {city} area, from first response to insurance.
Why do Ann Arbor basements back up during heavy rain?
Many homes built before about 1980 have foundation footing drains connected to the sanitary sewer. In heavy rain, stormwater at many times normal flow overwhelms the sanitary pipes and backs up into basements. The city's Footing Drain Disconnect Program is the long-term fix, and the risk is why fast mitigation matters after every event.
What should I do right after basement flooding in Ann Arbor?
Avoid contact with backup water, which may contain sewage, and keep children and pets away. Turn off power near standing water, photograph the damage, and call (734) 875-9301 for extraction, drying, and documentation.
Is my Ann Arbor home in a floodplain?
Special Flood Hazard Areas are mapped along the Huron River and its tributaries. Check the city's floodplain maps and the official FEMA flood insurance rate maps for your address, and confirm flood coverage with your insurer before an event.
What services are available in Ann Arbor?
Water extraction, mitigation, structural drying, flooded basement cleanup, burst pipe response, mold remediation, and fire damage restoration, all documented for insurance. Call (734) 875-9301 for the verified local line.
Emergency assistance
Water emergency in Ann Arbor?
Call the verified Ann Arbor area line now and talk directly to a restoration specialist about your situation.
(734) 875-9301 / 24/7 emergency assistance