Boone County, West Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WV
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 69th
Boone County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 69.4, 69th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $19M.
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 69.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 69th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $41K in expected annual loss and about 1.46 events per year; riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $17M in expected annual loss and about 1.68 events per year; and avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at Low risk — $22K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $19M in expected annual loss for a population of 22K.
Beyond physical exposure, Boone County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
History supports the rating: Boone County has received 31 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 13 for severe storm events and 7 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 55 West Virginia counties, Boone County ranks #14 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.46 / yr | $41K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.68 / yr | $17M |
| Avalanche | Low | 0.01 / yr | $22K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.01 / yr | $163K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.68 / yr | $386K |
| Lightning | Low | 48.30 / yr | $151K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.29 / yr | $337K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $28K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.28 / yr | $38K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $94K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 9.42 / yr | $28K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.01 / yr | $61K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.68 / yr | $87K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $49K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 1.82 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Boone County has received 31 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (13), Flood (7), Hurricane (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| February 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| May 2024 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| May 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| January 2024 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| May 2021 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| May 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| March 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
Showing the 10 most recent of 31 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 69.4 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 69th 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 Landslide (Medium, $41K EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $17M EAL), Avalanche (Low, $22K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Boone County compare to other West Virginia counties?
Boone County ranks #14 of 55 West Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Boone County had?
FEMA records 31 federal disaster declarations for Boone County since 1967, most often 13 for severe storm events and 7 for flood 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 $19M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.