riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Franklin County Disaster Risk

Franklin County, Florida

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

47th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#57

of 67 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

77th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 77% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 78% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 32% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 21% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Franklin County, Florida

Franklin County enjoys relatively low risk

Franklin County's composite risk score of 46.53 places it well below the national average, earning a relatively low risk rating. Despite coastal exposure, the county's risk profile remains manageable compared to most U.S. counties.

Among Florida's safest counties

Franklin County's score of 46.53 sits significantly below Florida's state average of 75.74, making it one of the safer counties in the state. This favorable standing reflects lower tornado and earthquake exposure than most peers.

Lower risk than Gulf Coast neighbors

Franklin County's 46.53 score beats Gulf County (59.54) and Wakulla County, positioning it as a relative refuge on Florida's northwestern coast. However, hurricane risk of 90.49 remains substantial and demands respect.

Hurricanes and flood dominate exposure

Hurricane risk of 90.49 is Franklin's primary concern, paired with flood risk of 77.40 that reflects the county's coastal and low-lying geography. Wildfire risk of 77.64 rounds out a trio of moderate-to-high hazards.

Secure hurricane and flood insurance

Despite lower overall risk, Franklin residents should maintain windstorm/hurricane coverage given the 90.49 risk score. Flood insurance is essential, particularly for properties in coastal zones or near water bodies vulnerable to storm surge.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Franklin County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    90th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    78th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    77th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Risk Advisory: Franklin County

Risk Verdict

Franklin County's FEMA risk score places it at the 47th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. At the 47th percentile, Franklin County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Franklin County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 90th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 78th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (77th percentile), tornado (32th percentile), earthquake (21th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With hurricane ranked at the 90th percentile nationally, Franklin County sits in a zone where multi-day supply readiness matters: grid outages after landfalling storms can last one to three weeks in heavily affected areas. Franklin County's wildfire exposure at the 78th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. Insurance gaps are the most common post-hurricane financial shock: standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood damage and may have a separate wind deductible. Franklin County households benefit from a pre-season insurance review confirming both wind and flood coverage.

Regional Context

At 29.2 points below the Florida state average, Franklin County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Franklin County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Franklin County, FL?
Franklin County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 47th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Franklin County?
Franklin County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (90th percentile), wildfire (78th percentile), flooding (77th percentile), tornado (32th percentile), earthquake (21th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 90th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Franklin County risk compare to the Florida average?
Franklin County's composite risk percentile is 47th, compared to the Florida state average of 76th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Franklin County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Florida.
Is Franklin County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Franklin County's hurricane risk is at the 90th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Franklin County is at the 77th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Is Franklin County a safe place to live?
Franklin County's composite risk score of 47th percentile is below the Florida state average of 76th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is hurricane at the 90th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.