Franklin County, Massachusetts Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MA
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
Risk Overview
Franklin County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 60.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 61st 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 landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $22K in expected annual loss and about 1.22 events per year; 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; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $363K in expected annual loss and about 1.82 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $23M in expected annual loss for a population of 71K.
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 1985, including 6 for hurricane events and 6 for severe storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Lee (hurricane), declared in September 2023.
Among 14 Massachusetts counties, Franklin County ranks #12 for overall natural disaster risk.
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 |
Disaster History
Franklin County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1985, most recently Hurricane Lee in September 2023. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (6), Severe Storm (6), Snowstorm (6).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2023 | Hurricane | Hurricane Lee |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| January 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm and Snowstorm |
| November 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm |
| September 2011 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Irene |
| August 2011 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| January 2009 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm 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 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.
How many federally declared disasters has Franklin County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Franklin County since 1985, most often 6 for hurricane events and 6 for severe storm events. The most recent was Hurricane Lee, declared in September 2023.
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.