FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Buenaventura Lakes than in 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Buenaventura Lakes gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #312 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then strong wind (24%). Flood insurance has paid 34 claims here since 1997.
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 Buenaventura Lakes 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
Strong wind
Hurricanes
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 Buenaventura Lakes’ grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Buenaventura Lakes, and Buenaventura Lakes’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 24%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #312 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Buenaventura Lakes’ residents live in 5 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Florida town has higher expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Buenaventura Lakes has less expected damage per building than 51% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.8M a year in losses across Buenaventura Lakes: $4.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Buenaventura Lakes flood? Sometimes: 34 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Buenaventura Lakes, from FEMA’s records: 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ian18 claims · $1.7M
- Hurricane Irma7 claims · $139K
- Hurricane Frances3 claims · $9K
Buenaventura Lakes isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Osceola County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Buenaventura Lakes
Disasters that paid out in Buenaventura Lakes itself (aid to households or repair grants to Buenaventura Lakes), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma10 households applied for aid$2K aid approved7 flood claims paid for it, $139K
Osceola County has had 24 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Osceola County, 1999–2001.
Old photos of Buenaventura Lakes after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Buenaventura Lakes archive →Buenaventura Lakes and its neighbors
Buenaventura Lakes is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meadow Woods | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Kissimmee | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 233 |
| Buenaventura Lakes | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
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 Buenaventura Lakes 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
- 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 Buenaventura Lakes
Is Buenaventura Lakes at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Buenaventura Lakes has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #312 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and strong wind (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Buenaventura Lakes flood?
Flood insurance has paid 34 claims in Buenaventura Lakes since 1997, $1.9M in all, or 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ian (18).
Is Buenaventura Lakes 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 Osceola County, 36% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 6.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Buenaventura Lakes?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Buenaventura Lakes’ 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 Buenaventura Lakes?
By FEMA money that reached Buenaventura Lakes, Hurricane Irma (2017): 10 households applied for aid, $2K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ian: 18 paid, $1.7M.
Is Buenaventura Lakes at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Buenaventura Lakes’ rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Buenaventura Lakes.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Buenaventura Lakes’ 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.