Boone County, Nebraska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NE
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 43th
Boone County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 43.4, 43th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.
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 43.4 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 High risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 5.95 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 39.52 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $888K in expected annual loss and about 2.77 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $13M in expected annual loss for a population of 5K.
Beyond physical exposure, Boone County has a medium 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 20 federal disaster declarations since 1966, including 8 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds (winter storm), declared in May 2025.
Among 93 Nebraska counties, Boone County ranks #18 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | High | 5.95 / yr | $4M |
| Drought | Medium | 39.52 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.77 / yr | $888K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 14.84 / yr | $95K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.61 / yr | $142K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 5.58 / yr | $1000K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.53 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $30K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.89 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | Low | 41.81 / yr | $81K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.37 / yr | $65K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.29 / yr | $71 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $12K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | 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 20 federal disaster declarations since 1966, most recently Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds in May 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Flood (6), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds |
| May 2024 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| July 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2019 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| June 2018 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds |
| July 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| April 2010 | Flood | Severe Storms, Ice Jams, and Flooding |
| February 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 20 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 43.4 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 (High, $4M EAL), Drought (Medium, $2M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $888K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Boone County compare to other Nebraska counties?
Boone County ranks #18 of 93 Nebraska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Boone County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Boone County since 1966, most often 8 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds, declared in May 2025.
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 $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.