Franklin County, Florida Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · FL
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 47th
Franklin County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 46.5, 47th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Franklin County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 46.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 47th 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.
Most of Franklin County's expected losses come from hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 0.26 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $244K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and coastal flood (seawater inundation from storm surge, high tides, and rising sea levels) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 3.91 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $11M in expected annual loss for a population of 12K.
Beyond physical exposure, Franklin County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Franklin County has received 46 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 28 for hurricane events and 7 for severe storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Helene (hurricane), declared in September 2024.
Among 67 Florida counties, Franklin County ranks #57 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.26 / yr | $6M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $244K |
| Coastal Flood | Medium | 3.91 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Medium | 84.59 / yr | $262K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.26 / yr | $568K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 6.34 / yr | $142K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.45 / yr | $447K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $23K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.29 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $28 |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.45 / yr | $27K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.71 / yr | $42K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $4K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 7.67 / yr | $0 |
| Ice Storm | 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 46 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (28), Severe Storm (7), Tropical Storm (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Helene |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Helene |
| August 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Debby |
| August 2024 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Debby |
| August 2023 | Hurricane | Hurricane Idalia |
| August 2023 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Idalia |
| December 2022 | Hurricane | Hurricane Nicole |
| September 2022 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ian |
| September 2022 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Ian |
| August 2021 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Fred |
Showing the 10 most recent of 46 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 46.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 47th 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 Hurricane (Medium, $6M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $244K EAL), Coastal Flood (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Franklin County compare to other Florida counties?
Franklin County ranks #57 of 67 Florida counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Franklin County had?
FEMA records 46 federal disaster declarations for Franklin County since 1972, most often 28 for hurricane events and 7 for severe storm 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 $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.