riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Boone County Disaster Risk

Boone County, Indiana

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

43th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#45

of 92 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

57th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 57% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 7% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 40% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 68% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 14% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Boone County, Indiana

Boone County sits below average

Boone County scores 43.23 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the relatively low risk category and below national averages. Your county faces below-typical disaster exposure compared to most U.S. communities.

Lower risk than Indiana average

Boone County ranks below the Indiana state average with a score of 43.23 compared to 45.52, placing it in the safer half of the state's 92 counties. Your county sits comfortably in Indiana's low-risk tier.

Moderate in a mixed region

Boone County's score of 43.23 falls between safer neighbors like Brown County (19.69) and Blackford County (9.00) to the north, and riskier Adams County (52.13) to the east. Your county occupies a moderate position regionally.

Earthquakes and flooding pose concerns

Earthquake risk reaches 67.97, your county's highest hazard score, while flood risk of 56.84 reflects vulnerable stream corridors and precipitation patterns. Tornado risk remains modest at 39.60, below statewide patterns.

Add earthquake and flood coverage

With earthquake risk at 67.97 and flood risk at 56.84, consider purchasing earthquake insurance and verifying flood coverage if you're in a susceptible zone. Standard homeowners policies exclude both hazards, leaving significant coverage gaps.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Boone County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    68th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    57th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    40th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Risk Advisory: Boone County

Risk Verdict

Boone County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 43th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. The 43th percentile national ranking is one lens; Boone County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Boone County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 68th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 57th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (40th percentile), hurricane (14th percentile), wildfire (7th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Earthquake risk is Boone County's leading natural hazard, ranked at the 68th percentile nationally. Securing tall furniture, water heaters, and bookcases to walls with anti-tip hardware is among the simplest and most effective life-safety measures households can take. Flood at the 57th percentile nationally is a separate hazard dimension for Boone County that requires different protective strategies from earthquake preparedness. Boone County residents should locate the main gas shutoff valve and keep an appropriate wrench nearby — gas leaks cause a significant share of earthquake-related injuries and fires, and the shutoff step is safe to take immediately after shaking stops.

Regional Context

At just 2.3 composite points from the Indiana average, Boone County's natural disaster risk is closely in line with its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Boone County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Boone County, IN?
Boone County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 43th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Boone County?
Boone County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (68th percentile), flooding (57th percentile), tornado (40th percentile), hurricane (14th percentile), wildfire (7th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 68th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Boone County risk compare to the Indiana average?
Boone County's composite risk percentile is 43th, compared to the Indiana state average of 46th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Boone County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Indiana.
Is Boone County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Boone County's earthquake risk is at the 68th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Boone County is at the 57th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Is Boone County a safe place to live?
Boone County's composite risk score of 43th percentile is below the Indiana state average of 46th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is earthquake at the 68th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.