FEMA puts Benavides’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Benavides gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then hurricanes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1990.
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 Benavides 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
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 Benavides’ grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Benavides, and Benavides’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 9%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Benavides’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Benavides: $504K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Benavides flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Benavides, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Benavides isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Duval County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Benavides
Disasters that paid out in Benavides itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Benavides), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms80 households applied for aid$91K aid approved
Duval County has had 16 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.
Old photos of Benavides after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Benavides archive →Get ready for what Benavides 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.
- 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 Benavides
Is Benavides at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Benavides has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and hurricanes (16%). 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 Benavides flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Benavides since 1990, $597 in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Benavides 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 Duval County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Benavides?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Benavides’ 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 Benavides?
By FEMA money that reached Benavides, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 80 households applied for aid, $91K approved.
Is Benavides at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Benavides’ rate for it is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Benavides.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Benavides’ 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.