FEMA puts Buena Vista Township’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Buena Vista Township gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #543 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 14 claims here since 1986.
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 Buena Vista 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
Strong wind
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 Buena Vista Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Buena Vista Township, and Buena Vista Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 7%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
B #543 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Buena Vista Township’s residents live in 5 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Michigan town has lower expected damage than 77% of U.S. towns; within the state, Buena Vista Township has more expected damage per building than 77% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across Buena Vista Township: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Buena Vista Township flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Buena Vista Township, from FEMA’s records: 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-04-Flooding1 claim · $13K
Buena Vista 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: Saginaw County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Buena Vista Township
Disasters that paid out in Buena Vista Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Buena Vista Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$28K to Buena Vista Township for repairs
Saginaw County has had 15 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 Buena Vista Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Buena Vista Township archive →Buena Vista Township and its neighbors
Buena Vista Township has the lowest expected damage per building of the 7 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buena Vista Township | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Merritt Township | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Portsmouth Township | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Bridgeport Township | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| Saginaw | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 94 |
| Zilwaukee | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Blumfield Township | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Zilwaukee Township | — | 29 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 Buena Vista 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Buena Vista Township
Is Buena Vista Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Buena Vista Township has lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #543 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Buena Vista Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Buena Vista Township since 1986, $53K in all, or 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2026-04-Flooding (1).
Is Buena Vista 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 Saginaw County, 1.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Buena Vista Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Buena Vista 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 Buena Vista Township?
By FEMA money that reached Buena Vista Township, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): $28K to Buena Vista Township for repairs. By flood claims, 2026-04-Flooding: 1 paid, $13K.
Is Buena Vista Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Buena Vista Township’s rate for it is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Buena Vista Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Buena Vista 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.