Franklin County, New York Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NY
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 49th
Franklin County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 48.9, 49th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and earthquake 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 48.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 49th 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 ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $382K in expected annual loss and about 0.49 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $9K in expected annual loss and about 1.61 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $14M in expected annual loss for a population of 48K.
Beyond physical exposure, Franklin County has a medium 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 20 federal disaster declarations since 1993, including 4 for severe storm events and 3 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Remnants of Tropical Storm Debby (tropical storm), declared in September 2024.
Among 62 New York counties, Franklin County ranks #52 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.49 / yr | $382K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Low | 1.61 / yr | $9K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.32 / yr | $11M |
| Lightning | Medium | 22.82 / yr | $398K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $144K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 20.42 / yr | $75K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $642 |
| Cold Wave | Low | 5.36 / yr | $678K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.68 / yr | $102K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.57 / yr | $209K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $198K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.59 / yr | $8K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | 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 20 federal disaster declarations since 1993, most recently Remnants of Tropical Storm Debby in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (4), Snowstorm (3), Flood (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Remnants of Tropical Storm Debby |
| July 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| July 2017 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| July 2013 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| August 2011 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| June 2011 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 20 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 48.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 49th 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 (Medium, $382K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $1M EAL), Landslide (Low, $9K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Franklin County compare to other New York counties?
Franklin County ranks #52 of 62 New York counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Franklin County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Franklin County since 1993, most often 4 for severe storm events and 3 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Remnants of Tropical Storm Debby, declared in September 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.