Boone County, Kentucky Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KY
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 74th
Boone County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 74.5, 74th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $49M.
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 74.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 74th 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 strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 3.98 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $12M in expected annual loss and about 0.18 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $12M in expected annual loss and about 1.79 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $49M in expected annual loss for a population of 136K.
Beyond physical exposure, Boone County has a very 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Boone County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 5 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 120 Kentucky counties, Boone County ranks #17 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 3.98 / yr | $4M |
| Tornado | High | 0.18 / yr | $12M |
| Cold Wave | High | 1.79 / yr | $12M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Medium | 50.99 / yr | $940K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.91 / yr | $322K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.11 / yr | $17M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 10.84 / yr | $135K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 6.68 / yr | $671K |
| Hail | Low | 3.58 / yr | $321K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.41 / yr | $1K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $15K |
| Drought | Very Low | 2.32 / yr | $4K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $5K |
| 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 13 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (5), Biological (2), Severe Ice Storm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| February 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Landslides |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| May 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| February 2009 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Flooding |
| January 2009 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| October 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina |
Showing the 10 most recent of 13 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 74.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 74th 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 Strong Wind (High, $4M EAL), Tornado (High, $12M EAL), Cold Wave (High, $12M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Boone County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Boone County ranks #17 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Boone County had?
FEMA records 13 federal disaster declarations for Boone County since 1974, most often 5 for severe storm events and 2 for biological 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 $49M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.