Photo: Katr67 · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Turner faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Turner gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (55%), then river and rain flooding (42%). Flood insurance has paid 21 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 stands out about Turner’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
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.
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 Turner’s grade
Earthquakes are 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Turner, and Turner’s rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 42% (lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
B− lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Turner’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Turner: $855K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Turner flood? Sometimes: 21 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Turner, from FEMA’s records: 18.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
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: Marion County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Turner
Disasters that paid out in Turner itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Turner), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storm$123K to the City of Turner for repairs
- 2012Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$38K to the City of Turner for repairs13 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm, Record and Near Record Snow$6K to the City of Turner for repairs
Marion County has had 10 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 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Marion County, 2020–2023.
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 →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.
- 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 Turner
Is Turner at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Turner has lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (55%) and river and rain flooding (42%). 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 21 claims in Turner since 1996, $596K in all, or 18.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
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 Marion County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% 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 Winter Storm (2021): $123K to the City of Turner for repairs.
Is Turner at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Turner’s rate for it is higher than 87% 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.