Boone County Disaster Risk
Boone County, West Virginia
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
69th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#14
of 55 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
85th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Moderate
Higher than 85% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 74% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 11% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 39% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 44% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Boone County, West Virginia
Boone combines flood and wildfire risk
Boone County's composite risk score of 69.37 marks it as Relatively Low but above the national median, driven by exceptional flood risk of 85.02 and significant wildfire exposure. The county's coal-country geography creates this unusual hazard combination.
Upper tier of state risk
Boone's score of 69.37 places it well above West Virginia's 49.21 average, ranking among the higher-risk counties statewide. This elevated profile distinguishes Boone from most neighboring counties.
Wildfire risk sets Boone apart
While Boone shares flood concerns with neighbors like Cabell County (85.37), its wildfire risk of 74.27 is exceptional for the region. This dual threat is significantly higher than inland counties like Braxton (36.16).
Flood and wildfire are urgent concerns
Boone's flood risk of 85.02 and wildfire risk of 74.27 are the county's defining vulnerabilities, reflecting mountainous terrain and river systems. Tornado risk is minimal at 10.59, and earthquake risk is moderate at 38.80.
Flood and comprehensive coverage essential
Boone residents should invest in separate flood insurance and ensure homeowners policies include coverage for wildfire damage. With both hazards at elevated levels, layered protection is critical for property safety.
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
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 69th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Households in Boone County benefit from knowing which individual hazard types — flood, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane — are the primary contributors.
Hazard Breakdown
Flood risk is Boone County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 85th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 74th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (44th percentile), earthquake (39th percentile), tornado (11th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Boone County's top natural hazard is flood risk, ranked at the 85th percentile nationally. Homeowners here should confirm whether they are in a FEMA-designated flood zone and check if standard homeowners insurance covers flood damage — it typically does not. Secondary wildfire exposure at the 74th percentile adds a second preparedness layer; households should review coverage options and alert sign-up for both hazard types. For most Boone County households, the highest-return preparedness step is storing critical documents in digital cloud backup combined with a pre-designated family meeting point if communication is disrupted.
Regional Context
Boone County's composite risk score sits 20.2 points above the West Virginia county average, placing it among the more hazard-exposed counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Boone County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Boone County, WV?
What types of natural hazards affect Boone County?
How does Boone County risk compare to the West Virginia average?
Is Boone County at risk for flooding?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Boone County higher risk than average?
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.