Boone County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 43th
Boone County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 43.2, 43th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $25M.
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 43.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 43rd 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.
Most of Boone County's expected losses come from hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 4.42 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $287K in expected annual loss and about 10.37 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $25M in expected annual loss for a population of 71K.
Beyond physical exposure, Boone County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Boone County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 6 for severe storm events and 3 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 92 Indiana counties, Boone County ranks #45 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 4.42 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 10.37 / yr | $287K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.98 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.63 / yr | $3M |
| Drought | Low | 1.45 / yr | $446K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.32 / yr | $15M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.42 / yr | $914K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.94 / yr | $150K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.32 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $670 |
| Lightning | Low | 46.30 / yr | $186K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $6K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| 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 17 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Snowstorm (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2014 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| March 2007 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| January 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| June 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| September 2003 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 17 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 43.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 43th 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, $1M EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $287K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Boone County compare to other Indiana counties?
Boone County ranks #45 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Boone County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Boone County since 1965, most often 6 for severe storm events and 3 for snowstorm 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 $25M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.