Franklin County, Kansas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KS
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 44th
Franklin County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 43.7, 44th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $16M.
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 43.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 44th 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.
Risk here concentrates in ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $639K in expected annual loss and about 0.96 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $286K in expected annual loss and about 11.26 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 9.45 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $16M in expected annual loss for a population of 26K.
Beyond physical exposure, Franklin County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Franklin County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 14 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in September 2025.
Among 105 Kansas counties, Franklin County ranks #24 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 0.96 / yr | $639K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 11.26 / yr | $286K |
| Hail | Medium | 9.45 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 7.07 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 14.89 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.39 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | Medium | 52.62 / yr | $481K |
| Drought | Low | 12.57 / yr | $238K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $54K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $1K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.57 / yr | $7M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.05 / yr | $912K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $131K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | 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 1967, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in September 2025. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (14), Biological (2), Tornado (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding,Landslides,and Mudslides |
| May 2019 | Severe Storm | Tornadoes and Flooding |
| July 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| April 2013 | Snowstorm | Snowstorm |
| August 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| March 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
| September 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
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 43.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 44th 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 Ice Storm (High, $639K EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $286K EAL), Hail (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Franklin County compare to other Kansas counties?
Franklin County ranks #24 of 105 Kansas 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 1967, most often 14 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in September 2025.
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 $16M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.