Franklin County
North Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 52th
Franklin County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 51.7, 52th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $17M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | High | 6.37 / yr | $358K |
| Drought | Medium | 13.27 / yr | $833K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.19 / yr | $940K |
| Hail | Low | 3.85 / yr | $567K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.26 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | Medium | 47.66 / yr | $501K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 6.47 / yr | $814K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 0.93 / yr | $671K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.68 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.79 / yr | $8M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $341K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 1.37 / yr | $62K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $12K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.17 / yr | $110 |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Franklin County?
Franklin County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 51.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 52th 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 Winter Weather (High, $358K EAL), Drought (Medium, $833K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $940K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Franklin County compare to other North Carolina counties?
Franklin County ranks #73 of 100 North Carolina 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 $17M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.