Photo: User:Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Turner than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Turner gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #80 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then hurricanes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1996.
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 Turner faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
Ice storms
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 Turner’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Turner, and Turner’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 8%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #80 of 143 in Maine; lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Turner’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Maine town has lower expected damage than 70% of U.S. towns; within the state, Turner has more expected damage per building than 56% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Turner: $812K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Turner flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Turner, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The April 2007 nor’easter1 claim · $12K
Turner isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Androscoggin County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Turner
Disasters that paid out in Turner itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Turner), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding32 households applied for aid$69K aid approved$43K to the Town of Turner for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$19K to the Town of Turner for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$16K to the Town of Turner for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$58K to the Town of Turner for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$34K to the Town of Turner for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt, and Ice Jams$50K to the Town of Turner for repairs
Show all 13
- 2005Record Snow$8K to the Town of Turner for repairs
- 2005Snow$16K to the Town of Turner for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$14K to the Town of Turner for repairs
- 2003Snow$6K to the Town of Turner for repairs
- 2002Severe Winter Cold and Frost$1K to the Town of Turner for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$13K to the Town of Turner for repairs
- 2001Snow$9K to the Town of Turner for repairs
Androscoggin County has had 28 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Turner after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Turner archive →Turner and its neighbors
Turner is 3rd of the 5 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greene | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Livermore | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Turner | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Leeds | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Buckfield | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Turner faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Turner
Is Turner at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Turner has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #80 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and hurricanes (21%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Turner flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Turner since 1996, $20K in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from April 2007 Nor'easter (1).
Is Turner 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 Androscoggin County, 35% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Turner?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Turner’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 Turner?
By FEMA money that reached Turner, Severe Storm and Flooding (2023): 32 households applied for aid, $69K approved, and $43K to the Town of Turner for repairs. By flood claims, April 2007 Nor'easter: 1 paid, $12K.
Is Turner at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Turner’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Turner.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Turner’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.