Photo: In memoriam afiler · CC BY-SA 2.0Storms, floods and disasters in Turtle Lake
Turtle Lake isn’t graded for hazard risk: Turtle Lake has 500 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more.
What Turtle Lake 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
Hail
Tornadoes
Winter 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); winter storms is FEMA’s “Winter Weather” (snow, sleet and freezing rain). 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.
Does Turtle Lake flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Turtle Lake. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Turtle Lake isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: McLean County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Turtle Lake
Disasters that paid out in Turtle Lake itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Turtle Lake), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Flooding$4K to the City of Turtle Lake for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding23 households applied for aid$47K aid approved
- 1999Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow, Ice, Ground Saturation, Lanslides, Mudslides, and Tor$3K to the City of Turtle Lake for repairs
McLean County has had 22 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.
Old photos of Turtle Lake after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Turtle Lake archive →Get ready for what Turtle Lake 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Keep a shovel, a blanket and snacks in the car.
- Clear snow from furnace and dryer vents.
- Check on older neighbors when the power goes out.
- 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 Turtle Lake
Is Turtle Lake 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 McLean County, 0.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Turtle Lake?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Turtle Lake’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 Turtle Lake?
By FEMA money that reached Turtle Lake, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 23 households applied for aid, $47K approved.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Turtle Lake.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Turtle Lake’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.