Franklin County
Massachusetts — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 61th
Franklin County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 60.7, 61th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $23M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 1.22 / yr | $22K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.08 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.82 / yr | $363K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.64 / yr | $16M |
| Lightning | Medium | 24.11 / yr | $383K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.53 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.45 / yr | $789K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $447K |
| Drought | Low | 2.36 / yr | $240K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $1K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 19.82 / yr | $72K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.46 / yr | $406K |
| Hail | Low | 2.96 / yr | $220K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $23K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.18 / yr | $589K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Franklin County?
Franklin County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 60.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 61th 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 (Low, $22K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $2M EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $363K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Franklin County compare to other Massachusetts counties?
Franklin County ranks #12 of 14 Massachusetts counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
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 $23M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.