Boone County, Arkansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AR
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 62th
Boone County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 62.3, 62th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $21M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Boone County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 62.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 62nd national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Very High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 2.21 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 2.37 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $663K in expected annual loss and about 58.25 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $21M in expected annual loss for a population of 37K.
Beyond physical exposure, Boone County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Boone County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 10 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 75 Arkansas counties, Boone County ranks #32 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Very High | 2.21 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.37 / yr | $6M |
| Lightning | Medium | 58.25 / yr | $663K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.39 / yr | $3M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $816K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.55 / yr | $934K |
| Landslide | Low | 1.23 / yr | $6K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 9.10 / yr | $111K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $118K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 8.15 / yr | $671K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.29 / yr | $6M |
| Hail | Low | 6.07 / yr | $184K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $24K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 11.66 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Boone County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Flood (4), Hurricane (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| May 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| August 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Laura |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| February 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| September 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| May 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 23 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Boone County?
Boone County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 62.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 62th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Boone County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Very High, $2M EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $6M EAL), Lightning (Medium, $663K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Boone County compare to other Arkansas counties?
Boone County ranks #32 of 75 Arkansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Boone County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Boone County since 1969, most often 10 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, declared in January 2026.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Boone County's $21M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.