Franklin County, Maine Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ME
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 44th
Franklin County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 43.6, 44th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $14M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Franklin County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 43.6 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.
Most of Franklin County's expected losses come from ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $930K in expected annual loss and about 0.34 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $346K in expected annual loss and about 24.63 events per year; and hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.08 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $14M in expected annual loss for a population of 29K.
Beyond physical exposure, Franklin County has a medium 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 federal record bears this out: Franklin County has received 33 federal disaster declarations since 1970, including 12 for severe storm events and 8 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storm and Flooding (severe storm), declared in January 2024.
Among 16 Maine counties, Franklin County ranks #12 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 0.34 / yr | $930K |
| Winter Weather | High | 24.63 / yr | $346K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.08 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Low | 1.91 / yr | $10K |
| Lightning | Medium | 17.83 / yr | $520K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 6.27 / yr | $2M |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $2K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.54 / yr | $7M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $217K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.42 / yr | $453K |
| Drought | Low | 2.18 / yr | $71K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.69 / yr | $96K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $5K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.38 / yr | $37K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $96K |
| 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 33 federal disaster declarations since 1970, most recently Severe Storm and Flooding in January 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (12), Flood (8), Snowstorm (6).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm and Flooding |
| September 2023 | Hurricane | Hurricane Lee |
| September 2023 | Flood | Severe Storm and Flooding |
| July 2023 | Flood | Severe Storm and Flooding |
| March 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| January 2018 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm and Flooding |
| September 2011 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Irene |
| July 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides |
Showing the 10 most recent of 33 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 43.6 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, $930K EAL), Winter Weather (High, $346K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Franklin County compare to other Maine counties?
Franklin County ranks #12 of 16 Maine counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Franklin County had?
FEMA records 33 federal disaster declarations for Franklin County since 1970, most often 12 for severe storm events and 8 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storm and Flooding, declared in January 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 $14M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.