Franklin County, Texas Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · TX
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 25th
Franklin County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 24.8, 25th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Franklin County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 24.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 25th 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.
Risk here concentrates in ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $649K in expected annual loss and about 1.16 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.23 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $411K in expected annual loss and about 4.98 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $7M in expected annual loss for a population of 10K.
Beyond physical exposure, Franklin County has a high 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). Higher vulnerability is partly offset by strong community resilience and recovery capacity.
History supports the rating: Franklin County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1998, including 5 for hurricane events and 5 for fire events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in April 2023.
Among 254 Texas counties, Franklin County ranks #183 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 1.16 / yr | $649K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.23 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Low | 4.98 / yr | $411K |
| Drought | Medium | 30.40 / yr | $352K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $63K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $103K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 18.05 / yr | $309K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.39 / yr | $438K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.00 / yr | $456K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $74K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 3.63 / yr | $23K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $84 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.68 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Very Low | 57.69 / yr | $42K |
| 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 20 federal disaster declarations since 1998, most recently Severe Winter Storm in April 2023. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (5), Fire (5), Severe Ice Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2023 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| February 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| February 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| August 2020 | Hurricane | Tropical Storms Marco and Laura |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| February 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| February 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| September 2011 | Fire | Wildfires |
| July 2011 | Fire | Wildfires |
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 24.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 25th 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 (High, $649K EAL), Tornado (Medium, $2M EAL), Hail (Low, $411K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Franklin County compare to other Texas counties?
Franklin County ranks #183 of 254 Texas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Franklin County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Franklin County since 1998, most often 5 for hurricane events and 5 for fire events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, declared in April 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 $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.