When historic flooding swept through northern Michigan this spring, many homeowners discovered something alarming: they had little or no flood insurance to help cover the damage.

And in a lot of cases, that’s because they didn’t even know they needed it. Experts say federal flood maps often fail to capture the full risk facing communities, especially as climate change fuels more extreme weather.

Today, we’re taking a closer look at why thousands of Michiganders may be more vulnerable to flooding than they realize, and why watchdogs say the federal government needs to step up.

State forgiveness program helps erase $74M in medical debt (WLNS): More than 71,000 Michiganders will see a combined $74 million in medical debt erased through a state partnership with the nonprofit Undue Medical Debt, marking the second round of relief under the program.

Whitmer signs bills establishing uniform term dates (WLUC): Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed four bipartisan election bills aimed at ensuring military and overseas ballots are counted before newly elected local officials take office. The new laws create more uniform start dates for local elected offices and delay swearing-in ceremonies until election results can be fully certified.

More Michigan schools under Title IX investigations (MLive): Federal investigators have opened Title IX probes into three Michigan school districts—Ann Arbor, Monroe, and Chippewa Valley—over policies involving transgender students in sports and locker rooms. The investigations follow three others earlier this year.

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Tom Peterman cleans up outside his home from recent floods at Black Lake on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Grant Township, Mich. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

By The Associated Press

Tom and Diane Peterman tried to buy flood insurance when they moved into their retirement home on the shores of Black Lake 14 years ago but were told it wasn’t available. John Solum was told he wasn’t in a flood zone when his family bought a 1940s-era cabin there.

Then came this spring’s historic and devastating floods across northern Michigan—in some areas, for the first time anyone can remember—swamping homes, pushing dams to the brink of failure and washing out roadways. Dozens of counties were under a state of emergency.

Black Lake was so high that floating ice broke apart decks and crashed through windows.

“We’ve never seen anything like that. Never,” said Solum, who experienced flooding often when he lived in Houston. Knee-high floodwater forced them to tear out flooring, drywall, furniture, bedding, and appliances.

Across Michigan, thousands were left without financial protection after record April rains fell on top of record March snowfall. Worse, many had no idea they were at risk despite years of increasingly heavy precipitation.

Their experience exposes vulnerabilities across the country, experts say, because flood plain maps don’t cover all areas. What’s more, the federal government’s mapping method is arguably outdated and does not account for actual risks as climate change increases the odds of more extreme weather.

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Karel Vega with a feature story from The Associated Press. It was edited by Crystal Niforos.

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