Boone County
West Virginia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
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
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 |
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.
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.