Franklin County, Nebraska Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NE
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 32th
Franklin County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 32.2, 32th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Franklin County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 32.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 32nd national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. 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 hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 7.30 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 4.23 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 44.53 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 3K.
Beyond physical exposure, Franklin County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The federal record bears this out: Franklin County has received 10 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 4 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 93 Nebraska counties, Franklin County ranks #26 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | High | 7.30 / yr | $3M |
| Strong Wind | High | 4.23 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Medium | 44.53 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.47 / yr | $142K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 12.79 / yr | $79K |
| Lightning | Low | 43.51 / yr | $148K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $23K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.53 / yr | $497K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 5.63 / yr | $49K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.25 / yr | $29 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.29 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 3.74 / yr | $31K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $5K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | 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 10 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (4), Flood (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2019 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2014 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| January 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuees |
| May 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
| November 1997 | Severe Storm | Severe Snow Storms, Rain, and Strong Winds |
| July 1993 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| July 1967 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
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 32.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 32th 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 Hail (High, $3M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL), Drought (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Franklin County compare to other Nebraska counties?
Franklin County ranks #26 of 93 Nebraska counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Franklin County had?
FEMA records 10 federal disaster declarations for Franklin County since 1967, most often 4 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in April 2020.
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 $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.