Shopiere Congregational Church · Photo: Boscophotos · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Turtle faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Turtle gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1982.
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 Turtle 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.
What’s behind Turtle’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Turtle, and Turtle’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 13% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
B− higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Turtle’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Turtle: $961K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Turtle flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Turtle, from FEMA’s records: 7.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Turtle isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Rock County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Turtle
Disasters that paid out in Turtle itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Turtle), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$4K to the Town of Turtle for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$3K to the Town of Turtle for repairs
- 2000Snow$2K to the Town of Turtle for repairs
Rock County has had 13 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 after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Turtle archive →Turtle and its neighbors
Turtle has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turtle | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Beloit | C+more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| Beloit | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| Clinton | — | not graded yet | |
| La Prairie | — | 839 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 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
Is Turtle at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Turtle has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Turtle flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Turtle since 1982, $74K in all, or 7.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Turtle 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 Rock County, 33% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Turtle?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Turtle’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?
By FEMA money that reached Turtle, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2026): $4K to the Town of Turtle for repairs.
Is Turtle at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Turtle’s rate for it is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Turtle.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Turtle’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.