FEMA puts Buna’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Buna gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (51%), then river and rain flooding (36%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 2005.
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 Buna faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
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 Buna’s grade
Hurricanes are 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Buna, and Buna’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 3%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Buna’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $879K a year in losses across Buna: $606K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Buna flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Buna, from FEMA’s records: 12.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Harvey7 claims · $460K
- Tropical Storm Paul1 claim · $46K
- Tropical Storm Imelda1 claim · $85K
Buna isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jasper County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Buna
Disasters that paid out in Buna itself (aid to households or repair grants to Buna), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl180 households applied for aid$451K aid approved
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding114 households applied for aid$391K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms51 households applied for aid$9K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Harvey1,067 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved7 flood claims paid for it, $460K
- 2016Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding106 households applied for aid$688K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Ike1,521 households applied for aid$553K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2005Hurricane Rita3,936 households applied for aid$9.4M aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $8K
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding25 households applied for aid$41K aid approved
Jasper County has had 25 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Jasper County, 2011–2011.
Old photos of Buna after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Buna archive →Get ready for what Buna faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Buna
Is Buna at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Buna has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (51%) and river and rain flooding (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Buna flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Buna since 2005, $807K in all, or 12.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (7).
Is Buna 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 Jasper County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Buna?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Buna’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 Buna?
By FEMA money that reached Buna, Hurricane Rita (2005): 3,936 households applied for aid, $9.4M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 7 paid, $460K.
Is Buna at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Buna’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Buna.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Buna’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.