Boone County, Missouri Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MO
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 86th
Boone County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 85.8, 86th national percentile), driven primarily by heat wave and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $75M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Boone County carries a medium composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 85.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 86th national percentile and near the national midpoint 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 heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 12.05 events per year; lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 49.82 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $11M in expected annual loss and about 0.32 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $75M in expected annual loss for a population of 183K.
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.
History supports the rating: Boone County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 12 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in September 2021.
Among 115 Missouri counties, Boone County ranks #9 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Heat Wave | Medium | 12.05 / yr | $6M |
| Lightning | High | 49.82 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | High | 0.32 / yr | $11M |
| Winter Weather | High | 9.68 / yr | $583K |
| Strong Wind | High | 3.39 / yr | $3M |
| Landslide | Medium | 0.44 / yr | $64K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.86 / yr | $41M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $4M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.08 / yr | $890K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.37 / yr | $5M |
| Hail | Low | 4.17 / yr | $780K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $233K |
| Drought | Low | 9.19 / yr | $182K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $13K |
| 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 27 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in September 2021. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (12), Flood (6), Severe Ice Storm (5).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2021 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| July 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| June 2017 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds and Flooding |
| January 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| June 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| March 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| February 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| January 2009 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 27 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 85.8 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 86th 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 Heat Wave (Medium, $6M EAL), Lightning (High, $2M EAL), Tornado (High, $11M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Boone County compare to other Missouri counties?
Boone County ranks #9 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Boone County had?
FEMA records 27 federal disaster declarations for Boone County since 1973, most often 12 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in September 2021.
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 $75M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.