Photo: tedkerwin · CC BY 2.0Buena Vista Township’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Buena Vista Township gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #185 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (39%), then hurricanes (25%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1978.
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
Hurricanes
Strong wind
Wildfire
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 39% of the building damage FEMA expects in Buena Vista Township, and Buena Vista Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 24%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #185 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Buena Vista Township’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical New Jersey town has higher expected damage than 56% of U.S. towns; within the state, Buena Vista Township has less expected damage per building than 61% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across Buena Vista Township: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Buena Vista Township flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1978
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.
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $75K
- The March 2010 nor’easter2 claims · $17K
- The April 2007 nor’easter1 claim · $10K
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: Atlantic County.10 federal disasters 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.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$30K to Buena Vista Township for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$17K to Buena Vista Township for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Storm$19K to Buena Vista Township for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$185K to Buena Vista Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$49K to Buena Vista Township for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $75K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$25K to Buena Vista Township for repairs
Show all 10
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$83K to Buena Vista Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$67K to Buena Vista Township for repairs
- 2009Snowstorm$134K to Buena Vista Township for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$23K to Buena Vista Township for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Atlantic County has had 28 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
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 is 2nd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buena | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Buena Vista Township | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Hamilton Township | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 311 |
| Maurice River Township | Cmore damage than 70% | coastal flooding | 124 |
| Folsom | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Milmay | — | 748 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Newtonville | — | 675 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Richland | — | 639 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.
- 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #185 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (39%) and hurricanes (25%). 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 Buena Vista Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Buena Vista Township since 1978, $140K in all, or 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (3).
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 Atlantic County, 94% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 14.4% of all homes do.
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 and Straight-line Winds (2012): $185K to Buena Vista Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 3 paid, $75K.
Is Buena Vista Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (39%), and Buena Vista Township’s rate for it is lower than 84% 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.