Franklin County, Indiana Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IN
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 34th
Franklin County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 34.2, 34th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Franklin County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 34.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 34th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $47K in expected annual loss and about 0.38 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.28 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $775K in expected annual loss and about 3.61 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $13M in expected annual loss for a population of 23K.
Beyond physical exposure, Franklin County has a low 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Franklin County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1968, including 11 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 92 Indiana counties, Franklin County ranks #59 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 0.38 / yr | $47K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.28 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.61 / yr | $775K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.71 / yr | $8M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.95 / yr | $75K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.11 / yr | $809K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $177K |
| Drought | Low | 1.88 / yr | $73K |
| Hail | Very Low | 4.11 / yr | $139K |
| Lightning | Low | 47.85 / yr | $120K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 5.95 / yr | $102K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 11.21 / yr | $22K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $2K |
| 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 1968, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (11), Flood (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| July 2025 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and |
| September 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| June 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| January 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| January 2005 | Snowstorm | Snow |
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 34.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 34th 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 Landslide (Medium, $47K EAL), Tornado (Low, $2M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $775K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Franklin County compare to other Indiana counties?
Franklin County ranks #59 of 92 Indiana counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Franklin County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Franklin County since 1968, most often 11 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, declared in January 2026.
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 $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.