Photo: formulanone · CC BY-SA 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Turlock faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Turlock gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #62 of 847 in California. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (51%), then river and rain flooding (49%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1998.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Turlock faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Turlock’s grade
Earthquakes are 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Turlock, and Turlock’s rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 49% (lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #62 of 847 in California; higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Turlock’s residents live in 17 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical California town has higher expected damage than 92% of U.S. towns; within the state, Turlock has less expected damage per building than 93% of California towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $24.7M a year in losses across Turlock: $19.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Turlock flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Turlock, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Pineapple Express - Southern12 claims · $45K
Turlock isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Stanislaus County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Turlock
Disasters that paid out in Turlock itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Turlock), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$33K to the City of Turlock for repairs
Stanislaus County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Stanislaus County, 2020–2020.
Old photos of Turlock after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Turlock archive →Get ready for what Turlock faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Turlock
Is Turlock at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Turlock has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #62 of 847 in California. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (51%) and river and rain flooding (49%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Turlock flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Turlock since 1998, $45K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Pineapple Express - Southern (12).
Is Turlock in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Stanislaus County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Turlock?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Turlock’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Turlock?
By FEMA money that reached Turlock, Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2023): $33K to the City of Turlock for repairs. By flood claims, Pineapple Express - Southern: 12 paid, $45K.
Is Turlock at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Turlock’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Turlock.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Turlock’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.