Photo: Jeremy Mikkola from Boone, NC · CC BY 2.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Boone than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Boone gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #44 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 115 claims here since 1979.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Boone’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Boone faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Boone’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Boone, and Boone’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #44 of 290 in North Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Boone’s residents live in 5 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical North Carolina town has lower expected damage than 51% of U.S. towns; within the state, Boone has less expected damage per building than 85% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.6M a year in losses across Boone: $4.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Boone flood? Yes: 115 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Boone, from FEMA’s records: 16.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Helene56 claims · $5.8M
- Hurricane Hugo3 claims · $27K
- Hurricane Sandy1 claim · $2K
Boone is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Watauga County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Boone
Disasters that paid out in Boone itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Boone), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene3,588 households applied for aid$11.5M aid approved$5.5M to the Town of Boone for repairs56 flood claims paid for it, $5.8M
- 2021Remnants of Tropical Storm Fred$8K to the Town of Boone for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$43K to the Town of Boone for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$600K to the Town of Boone for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Ivan63 households applied for aid$92K aid approved$124K to the Town of Boone for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances57 households applied for aid$157K aid approved$17K to the Town of Boone for repairs
Watauga County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Boone after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Boone archive →Get ready for what Boone faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
- Boone residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Boone
Is Boone at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Boone has lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #44 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and tornadoes (5%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Boone flood?
Flood insurance has paid 115 claims in Boone since 1979, $7.3M in all, or 16.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 9 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Helene (56).
Is Boone in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Watauga County, 44% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Boone?
Boone is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Boone?
By FEMA money that reached Boone, Tropical Storm Helene (2024): 3,588 households applied for aid, $11.5M approved, and $5.5M to the Town of Boone for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Helene: 56 paid, $5.8M.
Is Boone at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Boone’s rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Boone.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Boone’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.