Photo: Carol M. Highsmith · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Buena Vista than in 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Buena Vista gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #248 of 253 in Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 208 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 stands out about Buena Vista’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Buena Vista 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
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’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Buena Vista, and Buena Vista’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #248 of 253 in Virginia; higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Buena Vista’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Virginia town has lower expected damage than 81% of U.S. towns; within the state, Buena Vista has more expected damage per building than 98% of Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Buena Vista: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Buena Vista flood? Yes: 208 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Buena Vista, from FEMA’s records: 70.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Fran14 claims · $131K
- Hurricane Isabel1 claim · $2K
Buena Vista isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: the county.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Buena Vista
Disasters that paid out in Buena Vista itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Buena Vista), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$28K to the City of Buena Vista for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$13K to the City of Buena Vista for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel59 households applied for aid$305K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $2K
has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Buena Vista after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Buena Vista archive →Get ready for what Buena Vista 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.
- 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
Is Buena Vista at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Buena Vista has higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #248 of 253 in Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Buena Vista flood?
Flood insurance has paid 208 claims in Buena Vista since 1978, $4.4M in all, or 70.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 33 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Fran (14).
Is Buena Vista 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 the county, 0.8% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Buena Vista?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Buena Vista’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?
By FEMA money that reached Buena Vista, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 59 households applied for aid, $305K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Fran: 14 paid, $131K.
Is Buena Vista at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Buena Vista’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Buena Vista.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Buena Vista’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.