Boone County, Illinois Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IL
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 57th
Boone County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 57.3, 57th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $21M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Boone County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 57.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 57th 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 hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $933K in expected annual loss and about 4.66 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.22 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 5.63 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $21M in expected annual loss for a population of 53K.
Beyond physical exposure, Boone County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
History supports the rating: Boone County has received 11 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 5 for snowstorm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 102 Illinois counties, Boone County ranks #47 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 4.66 / yr | $933K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.22 / yr | $4M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 5.63 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | Medium | 39.98 / yr | $515K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.93 / yr | $11M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 6.18 / yr | $800K |
| Drought | Low | 10.28 / yr | $153K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.00 / yr | $350K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $234K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 14.58 / yr | $52K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.67 / yr | $40K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $291 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $2K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $3K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Boone County has received 11 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Snowstorm (5), Biological (2), Flood (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2011 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| March 2008 | Snowstorm | Record Snow and Near Record Snow |
| December 2006 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| January 2001 | Snowstorm | Illinois Winter Snow Storms |
| July 1993 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| January 1979 | Snowstorm | Blizzards & Snowstorms |
| April 1973 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 11 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 57.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 57th 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 Hail (Medium, $933K EAL), Tornado (Medium, $4M EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Boone County compare to other Illinois counties?
Boone County ranks #47 of 102 Illinois counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Boone County had?
FEMA records 11 federal disaster declarations for Boone County since 1967, most often 5 for snowstorm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in March 2020.
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.