Photo: Dwainwr123 at English Wikipedia · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Buena faces less hazard damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Buena gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #117 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (33%), then hurricanes (30%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1979.
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 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
Earthquakes
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’s grade
River and rain flooding is 33% of the building damage FEMA expects in Buena, and Buena’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 95% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 28%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #117 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Buena’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 has less expected damage per building than 75% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Buena: $923K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Buena flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Buena, from FEMA’s records: 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 50% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy1 claim · $31K
Buena 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.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Buena
Disasters that paid out in Buena itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Buena), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$6K to the Borough of Buena for repairs
- 2015Severe Storm$9K to the Borough of Buena for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy15 households applied for aid$5K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $31K
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$43K to the Borough of Buena for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene14 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$6K to the Borough of Buena for repairs
Show all 9
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding57 households applied for aid$51K aid approved
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$7K to the Borough of Buena for repairs
- 2009Snowstorm$7K to the Borough of Buena for repairs
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 after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Buena archive →Buena and its neighbors
Buena has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. 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 |
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 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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
Is Buena at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Buena has lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #117 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (33%) and hurricanes (30%). 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 flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Buena since 1979, $70K in all, or 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 50% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (1).
Is Buena 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?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Buena’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?
By FEMA money that reached Buena, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 57 households applied for aid, $51K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 1 paid, $31K.
Is Buena at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (33%), and Buena’s rate for it is lower than 95% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Buena.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Buena’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.