Boone County
Iowa — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 28th
Boone County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 28.4, 28th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $17M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 9.75 / yr | $5M |
| Hail | Low | 6.14 / yr | $833K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 15.68 / yr | $162K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.58 / yr | $3M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $3K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 7.84 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.66 / yr | $83K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 5.76 / yr | $670K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.71 / yr | $6M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $35K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $10K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 43.71 / yr | $82K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 5.26 / yr | $21K |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Boone County?
Boone County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 28.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 28th 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 Drought (High, $5M EAL), Hail (Low, $833K EAL), Winter Weather (Low, $162K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Boone County compare to other Iowa counties?
Boone County ranks #69 of 99 Iowa counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very 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 $17M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.