Franklin County, Kentucky Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · KY
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 64th
Franklin County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 64.5, 64th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $25M.
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 64.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 64th 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 strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 6.73 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 0.14 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Low risk — $14M in expected annual loss and about 1.54 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $25M in expected annual loss for a population of 52K.
Beyond physical exposure, Franklin County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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.
History supports the rating: Franklin County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 10 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 120 Kentucky counties, Franklin County ranks #30 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 6.73 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.14 / yr | $6M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.54 / yr | $14M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.80 / yr | $206K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 10.58 / yr | $125K |
| Lightning | Medium | 50.83 / yr | $437K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $570K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.32 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.35 / yr | $716 |
| Hail | Low | 3.44 / yr | $191K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.32 / yr | $244K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $13K |
| Drought | Very Low | 2.50 / yr | $4K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $5K |
| 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 27 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Flood (6), Snowstorm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| April 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| February 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| February 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, and Landslides |
| November 2024 | Tropical Storm | Remnants of Hurricane Helene |
| April 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| April 2021 | Flood | Severe, Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 27 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 64.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 64th 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 Strong Wind (High, $3M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $6M EAL), Riverine Flood (Low, $14M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Franklin County compare to other Kentucky counties?
Franklin County ranks #30 of 120 Kentucky counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Franklin County had?
FEMA records 27 federal disaster declarations for Franklin County since 1972, most often 10 for severe storm events and 6 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 $25M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.