Boone, NC
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Boone is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Watauga County, NC. The county's highest-rated hazards are landslide, ice storm, and cold wave.
Storm events near Boone
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Boone's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Boone itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Watauga County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Boone along with the rest of the county, not a Boone-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 40.9 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 80.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 68.9 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 0 | No Rating |
| Tornado | 60.1 | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 81.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | 76.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | 36.7 | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | 61.9 | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | 82.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | 98.8 | Relatively High |
| Lightning | 63.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | 45.5 | Relatively Low |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 55.8 | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Watauga County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Watauga County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Boone, NC at risk of?
Boone is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — lower risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Watauga County, where Boone is located, are landslide, ice storm, and cold wave.
What is Boone's biggest natural hazard risk?
Landslide is the highest-rated hazard for Watauga County, where Boone is located, scoring 98.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Boone a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Boone carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Watauga County.
Has Boone had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 5 tornado, 45 hail, 170 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Boone since 2016.