Franklin County, Alabama Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · AL
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 68th
Franklin County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 67.7, 68th national percentile), driven primarily by tornado and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $17M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Franklin County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 67.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 68th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
The county's risk is driven primarily by tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 0.65 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 1.26 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $17M in expected annual loss for a population of 32K.
Beyond physical exposure, Franklin County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Franklin County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 8 for severe storm events and 6 for hurricane events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene (hurricane), declared in September 2024.
Among 67 Alabama counties, Franklin County ranks #33 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Tornado | High | 0.65 / yr | $6M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.26 / yr | $3M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Low | 1.27 / yr | $15K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 8.74 / yr | $593K |
| Lightning | Medium | 62.83 / yr | $319K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.03 / yr | $141K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.11 / yr | $5M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.89 / yr | $55K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.37 / yr | $351K |
| Hail | Low | 4.21 / yr | $133K |
| Drought | Low | 17.96 / yr | $43K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $14K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 4.16 / yr | $13K |
| 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 |
Disaster History
Franklin County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Hurricane (6), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| September 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sally |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| September 2017 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irma |
| January 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| May 2014 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| April 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| April 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds |
Showing the 10 most recent of 22 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Franklin County?
Franklin County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 67.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 68th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Franklin County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Tornado (High, $6M EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $3M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Franklin County compare to other Alabama counties?
Franklin County ranks #33 of 67 Alabama counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Franklin County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Franklin County since 1973, most often 8 for severe storm events and 6 for hurricane events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene, declared in September 2024.
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. Franklin County's $17M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.