Franklin County, Missouri Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · MO
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 83th
Franklin County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 83.5, 83th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and heat wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $60M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Franklin County at medium composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 83.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 83rd national percentile and near the national midpoint 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 strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 5.35 events per year; heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 12.11 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $60M in expected annual loss for a population of 104K.
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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Franklin County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 9 for flood events and 8 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Wildfires (severe storm), declared in May 2025.
Among 115 Missouri counties, Franklin County ranks #13 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 5.35 / yr | $3M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 12.11 / yr | $6M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $6M |
| Hail | Medium | 5.28 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Medium | 1.91 / yr | $53K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.60 / yr | $7M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.68 / yr | $32M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.27 / yr | $440K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.63 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | Medium | 52.25 / yr | $546K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 8.68 / yr | $142K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $158K |
| Drought | Very Low | 2.46 / yr | $30K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $6K |
| 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 24 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Wildfires in May 2025. Most frequent causes: Flood (9), Severe Storm (8), Severe Ice Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Wildfires |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2017 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds and Flooding |
| January 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| January 2016 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| June 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| February 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| January 2009 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| March 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 24 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 83.5 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 83th 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), Heat Wave (Medium, $6M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $6M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Franklin County compare to other Missouri counties?
Franklin County ranks #13 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Franklin County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Franklin County since 1973, most often 9 for flood events and 8 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Wildfires, declared in May 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 $60M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.