Storms, floods and disasters in Turtle River Township
Turtle River Township isn’t graded for hazard risk: Turtle River Township has 155 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2009.
What Turtle River Township 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
Tornadoes
Hail
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.
Does Turtle River Township flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Turtle River Township, from FEMA’s records.
- The Winter storm1 claim · $12K
Turtle River Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Grand Forks County.The storms Turtle River Township remembers
None of the 34 disasters declared for Grand Forks County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Turtle River Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20112 flood claims paidThe year of Flooding, declared for Grand Forks County
- 20091 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Grand Forks County
- 20201 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Grand Forks County
Grand Forks County has had 34 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Turtle River Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Turtle River Township archive →Turtle River Township and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Higdem Township | — | 84 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Oak Park Township | — | 87 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Ferry Township | — | 237 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Levant Township | — | 125 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Walshville Township | — | 113 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Oslo | — | 260 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Esther Township | — | 150 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Turtle River Township 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 River Township
Does Turtle River Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Turtle River Township since 2009, $34K in all. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Winter storm (1).
Is Turtle River Township 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 Grand Forks County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Turtle River Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Turtle River Township’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 River Township?
By flood claims, Winter storm: 1 paid, $12K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Turtle River Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Turtle River Township’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.