Franklin County, Vermont Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VT
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 29th
Franklin County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 29.2, 29th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Franklin County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 29.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 29th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $8K in expected annual loss and about 0.80 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $256K in expected annual loss and about 0.47 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $588K in expected annual loss and about 22.67 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $13M in expected annual loss for a population of 50K.
Beyond physical exposure, Franklin County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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.
History supports the rating: Franklin County has received 30 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 13 for severe storm events and 10 for flood events. The most recent was Tropical Depression Debby (tropical storm), declared in August 2024.
Among 14 Vermont counties, Franklin County ranks #9 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 0.80 / yr | $8K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.47 / yr | $256K |
| Lightning | Medium | 22.67 / yr | $588K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $631K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 17.29 / yr | $124K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.02 / yr | $261K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.71 / yr | $10M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.76 / yr | $280K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $209 |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.81 / yr | $651K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.57 / yr | $405K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $193K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.85 / yr | $35K |
| 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 30 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Tropical Depression Debby in August 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (13), Flood (10), Hurricane (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| August 2024 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Depression Debby |
| April 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| July 2023 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| July 2023 | Flood | Flooding |
| March 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm and Flooding |
| August 2021 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Henri |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| January 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm and Flooding |
| January 2018 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 30 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 29.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 29th 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 Landslide (Low, $8K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $256K EAL), Lightning (Medium, $588K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Franklin County compare to other Vermont counties?
Franklin County ranks #9 of 14 Vermont counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Franklin County had?
FEMA records 30 federal disaster declarations for Franklin County since 1973, most often 13 for severe storm events and 10 for flood events. The most recent was Tropical Depression Debby, declared in August 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 $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.