Franklin County, Iowa Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · IA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 22th
Franklin County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 21.9, 22th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hail 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 very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 21.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 22nd 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.
Most of Franklin County's expected losses come from drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 22.52 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $432K in expected annual loss and about 5.09 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 10.26 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $11M in expected annual loss for a population of 10K.
Beyond physical exposure, Franklin County has a very 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 1965, including 10 for flood events and 8 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in May 2024.
Among 99 Iowa counties, Franklin County ranks #82 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 22.52 / yr | $4M |
| Hail | Low | 5.09 / yr | $432K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 10.26 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 18.68 / yr | $91K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.57 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.74 / yr | $446K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.67 / yr | $37K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $166 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.54 / yr | $2M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.63 / yr | $18K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $10K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 40.63 / yr | $27K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $3K |
| 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 1965, most recently Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding in May 2024. Most frequent causes: Flood (10), Severe Storm (8), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| February 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| October 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| July 2014 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| July 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| February 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
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 21.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 22th 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 Drought (High, $4M EAL), Hail (Low, $432K EAL), Cold Wave (Low, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Franklin County compare to other Iowa counties?
Franklin County ranks #82 of 99 Iowa 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 1965, most often 10 for flood events and 8 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in May 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.