Natural Disasters in Buena Vista, VA
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
3.3
Very Low
Expected Annual Loss
3.2
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
48.3
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
49.2
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Hurricane | 53.0 |
| Lightning | 32.7 |
| Earthquake | 22.3 |
| Landslide | 20.6 |
| Strong Wind | 14.6 |
| Cold Wave | 12.3 |
| Winter Weather | 12.2 |
| Avalanche | 12.0 |
| Hail | 11.3 |
| Tornado | 7.4 |
| Ice Storm | 7.1 |
| Heat Wave | 4.5 |
| Wildfire | 1.0 |
Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.
Disaster Declarations
Source: FEMA OpenFEMATotal Declarations
20
Most Recent
Winter Storm
Jan 2026
Most Common Type
Flood
6 declarations
| Date | Type | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 23, 2026 | Winter Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Apr 2, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 PANDEMIC |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 |
| Sep 11, 2018 | Hurricane | HURRICANE FLORENCE |
| Oct 29, 2012 | Hurricane | HURRICANE SANDY |
| Jul 27, 2012 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS AND STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS |
| Feb 16, 2010 | Snowstorm | SEVERE WINTER STORM AND SNOWSTORM |
| Sep 12, 2005 | Hurricane | HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION |
| Sep 18, 2003 | Hurricane | HURRICANE ISABEL |
| Sep 6, 1996 | Hurricane | HURRICANE FRAN AND ASSOCIATED SEVERE STORM COND |
| Jan 27, 1996 | Flood | FLOODING, HIGH WINDS, AND WIND DRIVEN RAIN |
| Jan 13, 1996 | Snowstorm | BLIZZARD OF 96 (SEVERE SNOW STORM) |
| Jul 1, 1995 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING |
| Mar 10, 1994 | Snowstorm | SEVERE ICE STORMS, FLOODING |
| Mar 25, 1993 | Snowstorm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| May 19, 1992 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING |
| Nov 9, 1985 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING |
| Oct 10, 1972 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING |
| Oct 7, 1972 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING |
| Jun 23, 1972 | Flood | TROPICAL STORM AGNES |
Individual Assistance
Source: FEMA Housing AssistanceTotal IA Registrations
114
Total IA Distributed
$516,600
Repair/Replace
$201,039
Rental Assistance
$56,815
| Disaster | Registrations | Total IA $ | Avg Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-1491 | 98 | $449,696 | $9,886 |
| DR-4512 | 16 | $66,904 | — |
Individual and household assistance for homeowners and renters affected by federally declared disasters.
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
276
Total Claims Paid
$3,993,154
Avg Claim Payout
$14,468
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Buena Vista has a very low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are hurricane, lightning, earthquake. The area has had 20 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is flood (6 declarations). 276 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. $516,600 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents.